The Edo State Government has accused leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating the rising wave of kidnappings and insecurity in the state, calling on security agencies to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the government alleged that intelligence reports linked PDP leaders to the sponsorship of violent crimes aimed at destabilizing the administration.
“The resilience of Edo State is currently being tested by individuals sponsoring a surge in violent crimes, particularly kidnappings. Intelligence reports indicate that these crimes are not just random but are being backed by PDP leaders to create chaos and undermine the government,” the statement read.
The Edo Government further claimed that during the 2024 governorship election, the previous PDP-led administration armed non-state actors, leading to the proliferation of illegal weapons that continue to fuel criminal activities. The failure to retrieve these arms, it argued, has emboldened criminals.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration reiterated its commitment to tackling insecurity through collaboration with security agencies. However, it warned that if political actors were indeed the sponsors of criminality, the fight against crime must extend to exposing those responsible.
The government urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, to conduct a thorough probe into the alleged involvement of PDP leaders and ensure that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.
The statement also called on Edo residents to remain vigilant and reject any attempts by the opposition to spread misinformation or disrupt public peace.
