Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has stated that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant of any individual convicted of kidnapping in the state, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He issued this warning during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Uromi Town Hall in Esan North-East Local Government Area. The session was convened to foster dialogue between the state government and leaders and members of the Arewa community residing in Esanland.
Governor Okpebholo’s declaration comes on the heels of the recent amendment to the Kidnapping Prohibition Law (and Related Matters) 2013 by the Edo State House of Assembly. The new law prescribes the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and authorises the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of such crimes.
“I take the issue of insecurity seriously and will not bend the rules but apply them strictly,” the governor said. “The new law in the State permits us to demolish their properties and confiscate their lands. We will build vigilante team offices on those lands.”
He continued, “We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness, according to the laws already passed by the EDHA. I will not be afraid to sign it.”
Governor Okpebholo also outlined his administration’s efforts to professionalise local security operations across the state, particularly through the creation of a paid vigilante workforce.
“The kind of security we want to have in the State is one where security remnants women are paid salaries, unlike before where the people will just put on uniforms without being paid. We are going to employ vigilante teams and pay them salaries and stop people from just putting on their uniforms,” he said.
“These people will work with security agencies and they will be trained on how to fight crimes and handle criminals. I will not wait until campaign time to solve your problems. I will start to address the problems facing our people in the market, and everywhere.”
The governor emphasised the need to monitor individuals entering the state from other regions, to safeguard the peace and security of the people of Edo.
“It is time to start profiling people from other States who claim to be from the North and ensure they don’t spoil your name. We will fence the market, put streetlights, and build abattoirs for those who kill cows. We want to secure the people of Edo State,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader who has shown care for the North and offered support in managing the Uromi crisis to prevent further escalation.
Alhaji Bawa Umar, Chairman of the Arewa community in Edo Central, expressed appreciation to the governor and the Onojie of Uromi for restoring peace in the region.
He stated, “The Governor is doing well in terms of security in the State and the Arewa community will support his administration to ensure it succeeds.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Uromi Cattle Market, Alhaji Isah Muhammad, commended Governor Okpebholo for the proactive and peaceful handling of the Uromi incident, which he said significantly reduced tension in the area.
Meanwhile, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, assured that there would be no reprisals over the killing of 16 hunters in Uromi, attributing the calm to swift and decisive measures taken by the state government and security agencies.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Agbonika said, “I can tell you that a lot of measures have been taken about the Uromi case and we can say that we are not expecting any reprisal attacks in respect of the Uromi incident.”
He added, “The governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has done a lot on Uromi case alone because when I first came, we went to Uromi together. Before then, he went to Kano State and to console with the people of Kano State and to ask them to talk to their people in Edo State not to carry out any attack and as a matter of fact, I can tell you that because of his visit, he succeeded in convincing the governor of Kano State to come to Edo State.”
Continuing, Agbonika explained, “And so, the Deputy Governor of Kano State paid a visit to Edo State on behalf of the government of Kano State and we went to Uromi, we spoke with all the stakeholders in Uromi, including the Hausa community, the Esan community, and you could tell that, that visit alone and all the actions that the governor took have been able to appease the people and has set the records right.”
He added that the peace initiative extended beyond Uromi to neighbouring communities with significant northern populations.
“We can be sure that there is going to be peace there and in addition to that, I felt that we could not just stay on Uromi alone, we also have the neighbouring communities that also have a high number of northern settlers.
“So, I stayed back and I went around to all the state. I went up to Igara. I went to Auchi and I met the communities there and of course, I told them that what has happened has happened and that we must continue to live in peace.
“And I have been assured by their leaders that they are going to continue to live in peace as they have been living.
“So, I think that problem is solved,” Agbonika said
