Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” In alignment with this constitutional imperative, Governor Monday Okpebholo has embraced his role as the Chief Security Officer of Edo State with an unwavering resolve. His administration has not only demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting lives and property but is also leveraging his good standing with the federal government to rein in criminality and dismantle criminal networks operating in the state.
A government worth its salt will do all it needs to protect its people. In Edo State, Governor Okpebholo has shown clear and purposeful leadership by taking decisive steps to confront two of the most persistent threats to the state’s peace—cultism and kidnapping. From the outset of his administration, he identified these crimes as a grave menace to societal stability and public safety. He promptly convened a security council meeting and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Commissioner of Police to halt the bloody cult clashes that erupted in parts of Benin City, sending a clear message of zero tolerance.
To give his words legal backing, Governor Okpebholo signed into law two critical legislations: the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025 and the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025. These laws provide severe consequences for offenders—21 years imprisonment for sponsors of cultism, 10 years for individuals harboring cultists, and the death penalty for cult-related killings. Similarly, convicted kidnappers face the death penalty, while any property used to facilitate the crime is to be confiscated and demolished.
However, Governor Okpebholo’s approach has gone beyond legislation—it is being matched with deliberate and determined implementation. Since the enactment of these laws, Edo State has seen the demolition of several buildings used as hideouts by kidnappers or as rendezvous points for cult groups. In March 2025, the government began pulling down structures in Illeh and Uromi used in high-profile kidnapping cases, including those where victims were kept until ransoms were paid. In one instance, a property in Esioriri-Erah in Owan East Local Government Area, reportedly belonging to a kidnap informant, was flattened after investigations confirmed its use in coordinating abductions.
The crackdown on cultism has been equally forceful. Apartments and facilities identified as cult meeting points have been sealed and marked for demolition. A notable example is Eterno Hotel, located in the upscale GRA axis of Benin City, where cultists allegedly convened to strategize before launching coordinated attacks across the city. Security agencies have continued to apprehend suspects, and the state government has remained firm in its resolve that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted and punished accordingly.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration has also strengthened the operational capacity of law enforcement by lifting the ban on the Edo State Vigilante Network and equipping the police with more patrol vehicles to enhance their response time. These efforts are fostering a more robust security architecture that brings both intelligence and visibility into the fight against criminality.
Despite a seeming resurgence of cult activities in some areas, the government and security agencies remain undeterred. Governor Okpebholo’s message is unambiguous: Edo State will not be a safe haven for criminals. His administration is committed to flushing out all threats to peace and ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
In sum, Governor Monday Okpebholo has shown what it means to govern with courage and conviction. Through well-articulated laws and their practical enforcement, he is leading a new charge for peace and security in Edo State. These are not just policy declarations; they are visible actions that reflect the serious intent of a government that understands the true essence of its constitutional mandate.
*Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor
