Hon. Paul Ohonbamu: A Voice of Credibility and Courage in Edo’s War Against Crime

By Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)

In a country where insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges, clear and courageous leadership at the state level has become more important than ever. In Edo State, one voice has stood out—not just for its boldness, but for its clarity, consistency, and credibility. That voice is Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, the Commissioner for Information and Communication.

Recently, at a press briefing in Benin City, Commissioner Ohonbamu addressed the issue of cultism and kidnapping head-on, offering both a clear warning and a path forward. His remarks left no room for doubt about the government’s commitment to restoring safety and public trust.

“Any landlord whose building is discovered to be accommodating a cultist will face the wrath of the law,” Ohonbamu declared.

“Cult-related activities will be aggressively tackled, with perpetrators and their enablers facing the full weight of the law.”

This is not empty rhetoric. It reflects a government actively working to eliminate crime from the grassroots up. The decision to demolish buildings used as criminal hideouts has sparked discussion, but Ohonbamu clarified that no such action is taken without credible evidence or direct confessions.

His advice to landlords is simple but critical: monitor your tenants. The war against crime must be a collective effort—and those who turn a blind eye to criminal activity in their properties risk being held accountable.

Beyond landlords, Ohonbamu sent a powerful message to parents:

“Parents who ignore this warning or fail to correct the delinquent behaviour of their children would be seen as accomplices to crime.”

Such statements underscore the holistic approach the Edo State Government is taking: not just punishing crime, but challenging the cultural silence and neglect that allow it to grow.

This is the kind of leadership that bridges activism and governance—bringing together strong moral values and effective public policy. Hon. Ohonbamu, a long-respected voice for justice and human rights, has not abandoned his principles in government. Rather, he has amplified them.

It is also a moment to commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for making the strategic and forward-thinking decision to appoint him as Commissioner for Information. In Ohonbamu, the governor has chosen not just a communicator, but a truth-teller—a man deeply rooted in the people’s struggles, and unafraid to speak with both urgency and compassion.

With Edo State intensifying its efforts to combat cultism, ritual killings, illegal firearms, and herdsmen attacks, having a steady, trusted voice like Ohonbamu’s at the forefront is invaluable. His role is not just to inform, but to inspire collective responsibility and rebuild public confidence.

In times like these, when citizens are seeking assurance that their leaders are not only listening but acting—Commissioner Ohonbamu has become a voice we can believe in.