Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged residents to support government and security agencies in efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities across the state.
The governor made the call as his administration continues to emphasise collaboration between communities, security agencies and local stakeholders as part of its response to insecurity in Edo.
According to a report published by The Punch on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Okpebholo appealed to residents to embrace peace and support ongoing security efforts, assuring them that security agencies were working with the state government to protect lives and property.
Okpebholo calls for community support
The governor’s latest appeal forms part of a broader security strategy that has placed greater emphasis on cooperation between residents and security agencies.
Earlier in September, Okpebholo met with youth leaders, security chiefs, vigilante groups, members of the Edo State Security Corps and other community security stakeholders in Benin City.
During the September 7 meeting, he described security as a collective responsibility and urged community leaders and residents to report threats and suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The meeting involved Okaighele, traditional and community youth leaders from the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District.
Okpebholo said the government was working to strengthen security across the state and prevent criminals from establishing operational bases in Edo.
Government outlines rapid-response measures
The governor has also announced measures aimed at improving the speed with which security agencies respond to emergencies.
During a September 6 appearance at Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, along Sapele Road in Benin City, Okpebholo said his administration was working towards enabling security agencies to respond to threats within five minutes.
He also said dedicated emergency numbers would be made available to residents to enable people in distress to seek immediate security assistance.
At the subsequent meeting with community leaders, the governor said a distress call could trigger the deployment of several security vehicles.
He also announced plans to provide motorcycles for security personnel to improve access to remote areas, including forests where criminals could be hiding.
The measures are part of the administration’s stated effort to combine faster response, community intelligence and cooperation with existing security structures.
Kidnapping and cultism remain key concerns
Kidnapping and cult-related violence have remained among the security issues confronting Edo State.
Okpebholo has repeatedly called for cooperation between residents and security agencies in addressing the problems.
In June, the governor alleged that some residents were collaborating with criminal networks involved in kidnapping. Channels Television reported that he claimed some local collaborators helped arrange kidnappings and handed victims over to criminal groups. The allegations were made during a Christian Association of Nigeria conference in Benin City.
The governor has also previously called on residents to stay away from criminal activities and provide credible information to security agencies.
At the September community-security meeting, he said his administration had made progress in its campaign against cultism and urged youths and community leaders to provide information that could assist security operations.
Security collaboration
The September meeting also brought together the Edo State Commissioner of Police, representatives of the Nigerian Air Force, vigilante groups and other security stakeholders.
The participants discussed stronger cooperation between community structures and formal security agencies.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, urged Okaighele leaders to regard themselves as custodians of security within their communities while maintaining close contact with security agencies, according to Vanguard.
The Commander of the 107 Air Force Base, Air Commodore Victor Eze, also said security mechanisms were being put in place to confront criminal elements in the state.
Such community-level cooperation is important because residents often have direct knowledge of developments within their neighbourhoods and can provide information to law-enforcement authorities.
Why the governor’s appeal matters
Okpebholo’s latest call places residents at the centre of the state’s security response.
While government and security agencies are responsible for law enforcement, community cooperation can assist authorities with intelligence gathering, early reporting of suspicious activities and identification of emerging security threats.
The approach also reflects the governor’s repeated emphasis that tackling insecurity requires participation from more than the formal security apparatus.
However, assurances about improved security and rapid response remain commitments by the state government. Their effectiveness will depend on implementation, coordination among agencies and the ability of security personnel to respond effectively to threats.
What happens next
The Edo government is expected to continue its engagement with community leaders, security agencies and local security structures as it pursues its stated objective of reducing kidnapping, cultism and other crimes.
Residents are being encouraged to report credible security threats through the appropriate channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.
The governor has also continued to promise improvements in security response across the state, including better access to difficult terrain and closer cooperation between communities and security agencies.
For Edo residents, the implementation of these measures and the actual security situation in communities will be key indicators of how effective the government’s strategy becomes.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- The Punch — report on Governor Monday Okpebholo’s September 22, 2026 appeal to Edo residents.
- Vanguard — report on Okpebholo’s September 7 meeting with youth leaders and security stakeholders.
- The Guardian — report on the governor’s engagement with Edo community leaders on security.
- Channels Television — report on Okpebholo’s proposed five-minute security response system.
