Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that criminals will no longer have a hiding place in Edo, pledging to chase them out of the state through sustained investments in security and infrastructure.
The Governor made the declaration on Tuesday while commissioning over 300 motorbikes for distribution across Edo’s three senatorial districts to bolster security operations. The event, held at the Government House in Benin City, was attended by top security chiefs, including the State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika; Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gani Audu.
Governor Okpebholo explained that the motorbikes are designed to help security agencies access difficult terrains, especially forests where criminals often hide.
“We promised during the campaign to fight insecurity and restore peace across Edo State. Today, we are fulfilling that promise,” he said. “These motorbikes will be deployed to all senatorial districts and will enable security agencies to reach areas where vehicles cannot go. Criminals must leave Edo State.”
The Governor added that the bikes will be properly maintained, supported, and complemented with other security technologies to sustain the fight against crime.
Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, described the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security architecture, particularly in tackling forest-based crimes such as kidnapping. He urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible information to aid crime prevention and investigations.
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo also commissioned heavy-duty equipment—including bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors—for the Edo State Waste Management Board to strengthen environmental sanitation.
Criticizing the past administration’s practice of renting equipment at high monthly costs, the Governor noted:
“The previous government spent over N50 million monthly to rent caterpillars for waste management. That is not sustainable. These machines were purchased with Edo people’s money for Edo people’s use.”
Managing Director of the Waste Management Board, Lucky Enehita-Inegbeneh, praised the Governor’s investment, describing it as a major step forward in keeping Edo cleaner and healthier.
“These new machines give us the capacity to manage waste effectively. It shows the Governor genuinely cares about the welfare of the people,” he said.
With these interventions, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to practical leadership, promising to build a safer, cleaner, and more efficient Edo State.
