Standing Firm Against Enemies of Progress: How Governor Okpebholo Is Reclaiming Edo’s Peace

.By Hon. Pius Alile

Edo State is witnessing a decisive rebirth of security, peace, and public confidence under the purposeful leadership of Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo. From the moment he assumed office, the Governor made it clear that the protection of lives and property would not be a campaign slogan but the defining reality of his administration.

With courage and clarity of purpose, Governor Okpebholo has confronted the twin scourges of cultism and kidnapping—deep-rooted threats that have for years terrorised communities, crippled economic activities, and endangered the future of Edo’s youth.

He understands that insecurity is not merely a law-and-order issue; it is an existential challenge. Where violence thrives, investment retreats, communities fracture, and public trust in governance erodes.

Determined to reverse this dangerous trend, the Okpebholo administration has rolled out bold, coordinated, and sustained security interventions. Chief among these is Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, a special task force established to dismantle criminal networks across the state. This has been reinforced by the comprehensive strengthening and retooling of the Edo State Security Corps in close collaboration with conventional security agencies.

Critical operational assets—including patrol vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles—have been provided to guarantee rapid response, even in hard-to-reach terrains. These executive actions are further supported by firm legislative reforms imposing stiffer penalties for kidnapping and cult-related crimes, sending an unmistakable message that Edo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals or their sponsors.
Predictably, as peace gradually returns, enemies of progress have grown increasingly desperate.

Recent disturbances in Ekpoma, the host community of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), reveal a more sinister dimension of the security challenge. What was initially portrayed as spontaneous protests over insecurity has, upon closer examination, exposed itself as a coordinated riot allegedly sponsored by unscrupulous political actors determined to frustrate and discredit Governor Okpebholo and his APC-led administration.
Even more troubling is the deliberate manipulation of social media narratives.

Certain opposition elements have weaponised misinformation, targeting not only the Edo State Government but also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—particularly given Governor Okpebholo’s open commitment to delivering a resounding victory for the President in the 2027 elections.

Misleading videos falsely presented as kidnapping incidents in Ekpoma were circulated to instil fear, spread panic, and tarnish the image of a government that is demonstrably delivering results. These staged or exaggerated incidents are calculated attempts to manufacture instability for narrow political gains.

While empathising with innocent students of Ambrose Alli University who may have been caught up in the aftermath of these disturbances, Governor Okpebholo’s humane and statesmanlike intervention in ordering the release of affected students deserves commendation.

This decision underscores a leadership that values justice, restraint, and social harmony, even in the face of deliberate provocation.

The reality is clear: while cultism and organised crime remain genuine threats requiring sustained vigilance, a new and more insidious danger has emerged—the distortion of truth.

Misinformation, staged incidents, and propaganda are now being deployed as weapons to undermine peace where stability is steadily being restored.
This is why citizens—especially young people and members of university communities—must remain alert, discerning, and responsible.

They must resist the pull of sensational but false narratives and engage security agencies through lawful and constructive channels, rather than becoming tools in schemes designed to plunge their communities back into chaos.

Governor Okpebholo’s administration has made its position unequivocally clear: anyone who exploits insecurity, misleads the public, or orchestrates violence to sabotage government efforts will be identified and held fully accountable.

The law will take its full course against those behind fake kidnappings, orchestrated disturbances, and criminal deception.

In conclusion, Governor Monday Okpebholo stands tall as a leader tested by adversity yet unshaken by calculated political propaganda. Through strengthened security collaboration, deeper community engagement, and well-thought-out policies, his administration is laying a solid foundation for lasting peace in Edo State.

With transparent governance and an unwavering commitment to the safety of every citizen, Edo is steadily marching toward a future where security is sustained and where education, youth empowerment, and development can thrive free from the shadows of violence and intimidation Government

Hon. Pius Alile Is The
Deputy Chief of Staff, To
Edo State Government