Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has alleged that some residents of the state are actively recruiting criminals from outside Edo to carry out kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
The governor made the claim while addressing participants at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City.
According to Okpebholo, some of the security challenges confronting the state are being aided by local collaborators who work with criminal elements operating in forested areas. “Our people now recruit criminals to help them do the job,” the governor said. “They will kidnap somebody and hand the victim over to people in the bush.”
He warned that individuals arrested for criminal activities would not receive political intervention or clemency from his administration. “If you hear that we have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me,” he said.
Okpebholo also alleged that some reports of insecurity circulating about the state were politically motivated and aimed at undermining his government. “Some reports on insecurity are just to bring this government down,” he stated.
While acknowledging that genuine security threats still exist, the governor recounted an incident in which he ordered security operatives to respond to a reported attack along the Benin-Sapele Road, only for authorities to discover that no security breach had occurred.
The governor used the occasion to appeal to religious leaders to pray for President Bola Tinubu, describing the removal of fuel subsidy as a difficult but necessary policy decision that has created room for infrastructure development. Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Edo State, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo, commended the governor for his support of religious activities and prayed for the success of his administration.
Similarly, the Vice Chairman of CAN in Edo State, Rev. Alfred Agbonlahor, praised the governor for ongoing reconstruction work on the Benin-Sapele Road. Addressing efforts to improve security, Okpebholo said volunteers had already been deployed to forests across the state to prevent criminals from using them as hideouts.
The governor also highlighted plans to recruit 1,000 Forest Guards to strengthen surveillance across forests, farmlands and rural communities. Speaking on behalf of the governor, Chief Press Secretary Patrick Ebojele said the recruitment exercise would focus on local residents who possess extensive knowledge of their communities and surrounding terrain.
“These are people who know the environment. They understand the forests, the pathways and the communities,” Ebojele said. “That local knowledge is a major advantage in securing rural areas and protecting farmers.”
The governor also addressed the recent abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market in Benin City, assuring residents that security agencies had commenced investigations. “The governor gave a clear directive and the Police Command is acting on it,” Ebojele said. “The perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice.”
The state government says the planned recruitment of Forest Guards and ongoing security operations form part of broader efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities across Edo State.