Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has made a serious and controversial accusation, alleging that the recent surge in kidnappings and violent attacks across the state is being deliberately orchestrated by political opponents seeking to manipulate the forthcoming elections.
The governor, who spoke during a community engagement forum with traditional rulers, youth leaders, and security stakeholders, said intelligence reports and emerging patterns of the attacks point to a calculated attempt to destabilize the state. According to him, the kidnappings are not isolated criminal activities but part of a broader political strategy designed to create fear and weaken public trust in his administration.
Visibly angered by the latest spate of abductions, Okpebholo said the state has begun noticing “politically motivated security breaches” that appear to be timed and targeted to damage the government’s credibility ahead of the polls.
“They are kidnapping people because somebody wants to win election; it’s not fair,” he said during the meeting, stressing that the trend mirrors similar experiences in past national political battles. He added, “They did this to former President Goodluck Jonathan and they succeeded, but we know their trick already.”
The governor argued that the desperation of some political actors has emboldened criminal groups, who now use fear as a political tool. He insisted that Edo people are now politically enlightened enough to recognize the tactics being deployed and will not allow themselves to be manipulated or intimidated.
Security officials present at the meeting confirmed that the government has intensified coordination with federal agencies, including the police, DSS, and military units, to identify the masterminds behind the escalating crime wave. While no names were mentioned publicly, Okpebholo hinted that some sponsors of the unrest are already under watch.
Community representatives expressed concern over the growing insecurity, particularly on major highways leading in and out of Benin City. Several residents said they fear travelling at night due to frequent kidnappings, especially in remote communities around the Ekpoma, Ehor, and Ugbowo corridors.
The governor assured citizens that the state is deploying more resources into security operations and will not hesitate to expose any political figure found to be financing criminal activities. He emphasized that no political ambition should come at the cost of innocent lives.
“We will confront this challenge head-on,” he said. “Edo belongs to all of us, and we will not allow anybody to plunge this state into chaos for personal gain.”
The governor’s remarks have sparked fierce debate across political circles, with some analysts warning that the allegations could escalate tensions as the election season intensifies. Supporters of the governor say his comments reflect widespread fears among the public, while critics argue that such claims must be proven with concrete evidence.
As security patrols increase across the state, residents wait anxiously to see whether the government’s crackdown will lead to a reduction in kidnappings or expose the political forces the governor believes are fuelling the crisis.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments