By Gloria Drealomalicha
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged that some residents are recruiting criminals from other parts of Nigeria and bringing them into the state to carry out kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
The governor made the claim while addressing participants at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City, where issues of insecurity and public safety featured prominently in discussions.
Speaking to church leaders and stakeholders, Okpebholo expressed concern over what he described as organised efforts by certain individuals to aid criminal activities within the state. He also cautioned against the spread of unverified reports on social media, arguing that some claims about insecurity are either false or exaggerated.
According to the governor, misinformation has at times diverted security resources and fuelled unnecessary fear among residents.
Recalling a recent incident along Sapele Road, Okpebholo said he immediately instructed security agencies to respond after receiving reports of a security threat in the area. However, investigations later revealed that the alarm was false.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a genuine challenge, the governor maintained that false reports complicate efforts to tackle crime and are sometimes used to undermine the image of his administration.
“Some reports on insecurity are just to bring this government down, to give this government a bad name. But it’s not that there is no insecurity. The false alarms are another issue in this country,” he said.
The governor also warned residents against defending or intervening on behalf of individuals arrested for suspected criminal activities. He suggested that some people living lavish lifestyles may be involved in criminal enterprises despite attempts to disguise the source of their wealth.
“Tomorrow you will see them driving expensive cars and building houses. How are they getting these things? They will tell you they are Yahoo boys; they are this, they are that. If you hear that we have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me,” he stated.
In a further effort to strengthen security across the state, Okpebholo disclosed that volunteers have been deployed in forest areas to prevent criminal groups from establishing hideouts or operational bases within Edo.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security and urged residents to support law enforcement agencies with credible information while avoiding the spread of unverified reports that could create panic or hinder security operations.
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