Since taking office in November 2024, Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has made the security of lives and property a central pillar of his administration. With a series of bold and strategic moves, the governor has signaled that Edo is a state where criminality will not go unchecked. Recent operations and reforms indicate that his promise of a safer Edo is steadily becoming a reality.
One of the most visible actions under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership is the crackdown, last week , on cultism and criminal hideouts. In Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, the government recently demolished buildings linked to violent cult activities. The demolition followed a raid by the State’s Special Security Squad on 17 November 2025, conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. Thirty-one suspects were arrested during the operation, while leaders of the notorious Black Axe and Eiye confraternities were given a seven-day ultimatum to surrender. When they failed to comply, the state moved decisively to pull down the buildings, citing incriminating evidence recovered from the properties.
Idemudia Noah, coordinator of Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, explained that the demolition was necessary to send a strong message. “This exercise should serve as a warning to landlords and property owners to properly profile their tenants. These houses were demolished because they were linked to criminal activities,” he said. The affected properties are now being repurposed as operational bases for security personnel, further strengthening the government’s presence in key areas.
The crackdown extended beyond cultism. In a separate operation, 15 people were arrested in Uromi’s Hausa quarters for possession of illicit drugs. Authorities highlighted the connection between drug trafficking and violent crime, noting that narcotics often attract hoodlums and kidnappers. One of the suspects, Tajudeen Lawal, admitted to selling marijuana with two others. According to Noah, these arrests are part of a wider strategy to eliminate the networks that fuel insecurity in Edo.
Governor Okpebholo has also reinforced the legal framework for his anti-crime initiatives. His administration championed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, and strengthened the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, introducing harsher penalties for offenders. These legal tools provide law enforcement with the authority to act decisively against cultists and kidnappers, signaling that Edo is no longer a haven for criminal networks.
The governor’s commitment goes beyond legislation. In Benin City, he recently received the new Commander of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Olatunboju Balogun, reaffirming his administration’s support for military collaboration. Governor Okpebholo assured the Army of state support and pledged to improve infrastructure critical to security operations, including roads and facilities at Ekenwa Barracks. He also announced the procurement of multifunctional drones to enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The results of these efforts are already visible. Over 300 cult leaders have been arrested since the current administration began active security operations, multiple buildings linked to criminal hideouts have been demolished, and illegal firearms have been recovered or neutralized. The Special Security Squad continues to operate across Edo’s 18 local government areas, with thousands of trained personnel, vehicles, and motorcycles deployed to hotspots.
Public sentiment reflects growing confidence in the government’s approach. Youth groups and community leaders have shown support for the administration’s initiatives, organizing peaceful rallies and urging residents to cooperate with authorities. Communities are increasingly aware that law enforcement is no longer passive but actively pursuing criminals and disrupting networks.
Despite the progress, Governor Okpebholo acknowledges that challenges remain. Civil society groups have called for due process safeguards and continued community engagement to ensure that anti-crime measures are effective yet fair. The administration, however, appears committed to balancing these concerns with the urgent need to secure Edo State.
In conclusion, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s approach to security is comprehensive and results-driven. By combining strict legal measures, aggressive enforcement, community engagement, and technology-enhanced surveillance, the administration is transforming Edo into a state where criminal elements face real consequences. While the journey toward a completely crime-free Edo is ongoing, the foundation has been firmly laid, and the trajectory is clear: Okpebholo’s Edo is becoming safer, more secure, and increasingly resilient against criminal threats.
#SaferEdo
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Ebojele Akhere Patrick PhD is Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor
