Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has warned kidnappers, cultists and other criminals operating in the state to desist from crime or face prosecution and possible execution if convicted.
Naijaonpoint reports that the governor issued the warning on Thursday during the parade of suspects at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.
Okpebholo also rewarded police officers who arrested a suspect linked to Sunday’s kidnapping at the Vegetable Market with ₦10 million.
The governor said his administration would set up a special court to speedily prosecute kidnappers and cultists in the state.
“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists. Within two weeks, the court is done with proceedings. I will sign your execution. We will take you to Ring Road roundabout so that Edo people can watch. I will have no regret about it. Don’t take my simplicity for granted,” Okpebholo said.
He said he directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure the arrest of those behind the Vegetable Market incident shortly after it occurred.
According to him, one suspect was arrested, another was neutralised during the operation, while two others remain at large.
Okpebholo said his administration was determined to make Edo unsafe for criminals and their sponsors.
“They will never find peace in Edo. The message to all criminals is that they will not go free after committing crime in this state. You will be arrested. We are ready for you and your sponsors. We are working day and night to make sure this land is safe,” he said.
The governor also urged residents to avoid crime, saying it was better to live within one’s means than risk one’s life through criminal activities.
Okpebholo defended the Federal Government’s handling of security, saying the results being recorded showed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was supporting security agencies.
“I wonder why people keep complaining that the president is not working. The president is funding the security operatives to function well. That is why we are happy about the results we are getting today,” he said.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
Items recovered from the arrested suspect included a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle and cash totalling ₦2,250,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Agbonika thanked the governor for his support to the command and also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for his guidance.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in the state and urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
