Edo Kidnap: Okpebholo Vows To Bring Perpetrators To Justice As Police Begin Probe

The Edo State Government has assured residents that those responsible for the abduction of a woman at a vegetable market in Benin City will be apprehended and prosecuted, following the commencement of a police investigation into the incident.

The victim was reportedly abducted on Sunday at the popular vegetable market in Benin, triggering concerns among residents and renewed calls for stronger security measures in the state.

Speaking during a radio programme on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, disclosed that the Edo State Police Command had already begun investigations into the incident.

According to him, the investigation commenced immediately after Governor Okpebholo directed security agencies to track down those behind the crime and ensure they face justice.

Ebojele said the governor had made it clear that criminal activities would not be tolerated in the state, stressing that security agencies were working around the clock to identify and apprehend the suspects.

“The governor gave a clear directive, and the Police Command is acting on it. We want the family and members of the public to know that this matter is being treated with urgency. The perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

He also cautioned social media users and online platforms against sensationalising security incidents, noting that exaggerated reports could create unnecessary panic among residents and potentially interfere with ongoing investigations.

While acknowledging that insecurity remains a challenge across Nigeria and other parts of the world, Ebojele maintained that the Okpebholo administration had prioritised security since assuming office.

According to him, the state government has invested significantly in security personnel, equipment and intelligence gathering systems to strengthen law enforcement operations.

“When Governor Okpebholo came into office, the security situation in Edo State was a major concern. Since then, he has invested heavily in personnel, equipment and intelligence infrastructure. The improvement is evident,” he stated.

The governor’s spokesman urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities.

He also disclosed that the state’s forests and farmlands would soon become more secure through the ongoing recruitment and training of forest guards drawn from local communities and local government areas.

According to him, the initiative is designed to complement conventional security operations by utilising the local knowledge of residents familiar with the terrain.

Ebojele said the forest guard programme forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen surveillance, improve rural security and protect farmers from criminal activities.