Since assuming office in November 2024, Governor Monday Okpebholo has made it clear that no developmental aspiration can thrive in an atmosphere of fear or insecurity. His administration’s focus on Security, one of the five cardinal pillars of the SHINE Agenda, reflects a deep understanding that peace and safety are the bedrock of progress. From farmlands to highways, markets to schools, Governor Okpebholo’s administration has systematically begun to restore the sense of safety that every Edo citizen deserves.
Under his leadership, the security architecture of the state is being rebuilt not just through forceful enforcement, but through collaboration, legislation, and technology-driven reforms. Today, Edo State is witnessing a paradigm shift – from a state once battling insecurity to one leading a coordinated, strategic campaign for peace and public order.
Governor Okpebholo inherited a state that grappled with complex security challenges – rampant kidnappings, cult violence, armed robbery, and community unrest. His immediate response was to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and adopt a result-driven operational framework.
At the heart of this transformation is the Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, launched in July, 2025. The multi-agency task force is a unique alliance comprising the Police, Army, Civil Defence Corps, local hunters, vigilantes, and community informants. Operating across all 18 local government areas, this team was designed to strike at the core of criminal networks – especially those hidden in forests and rural strongholds.
Complementing this is Operation Rescue, another Joint Security Taskforce established at the onset of his administration to respond swiftly to distress calls and dismantle organized crime cells. This joint operation, which has received commendation from the House of Representatives, has contributed significantly to curbing violent crimes and restoring confidence among residents.
The Public Safety Response Team further reinforces surveillance and enforcement across urban centers, enabling faster response to incidents and improved public order. The combined impact of these operations is evident in the growing number of successful rescue missions and reduced reports of cult-related violence in recent months.
A critical pillar of Governor Okpebholo’s security reforms has been the restructuring and professionalization of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC). Prior to his administration, the Corps suffered from low morale, inadequate training, and weak coordination with formal security agencies. The governor addressed these gaps head-on.
In June, 2025, over 1,470 members of the Corps underwent a comprehensive training program facilitated by the Nigerian Army. This training not only enhanced discipline and tactical competence but also repositioned the Corps as a dependable intelligence and patrol support unit for the police and military.
For the first time in the state’s history, members of the Corps are being placed on monthly salaries and enrolled in a health insurance scheme — a major welfare milestone that underscores the governor’s belief that motivation is a key ingredient of effective service delivery. The Corps’ renewed professionalism is now a cornerstone of community policing efforts across the state.
Governor Okpebholo understands that a well-equipped security system is as important as a well-trained one. His administration has made significant investments in logistics, surveillance, and mobility infrastructure to enhance the operational capacity of security agencies.
In March, 2025, the state government procured and distributed new patrol vehicles to various security units. These vehicles have improved response times and enhanced routine patrols along major highways and urban centers.
In September, 2025, the government distributed 300 motorbikes to the Police, Army, Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilantes. These motorbikes have become invaluable in reaching difficult terrains, particularly forested and riverine areas where criminals often operate.
Beyond mobility, the administration has invested in surveillance cameras and is developing a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre. This facility, when fully operational, will serve as the nerve center for incident monitoring, coordination, and intelligence sharing – marking Edo’s entry into the era of smart policing.
The ongoing Illegal Arms Mop-Up Exercise has also yielded impressive results, with thousands of weapons voluntarily surrendered or recovered through intelligence-led operations. By cutting off access to arms, the government is proactively reducing the tools of crime and violence.
One of the most defining features of Governor Okpebholo’s security blueprint is the fusion of operational action with strong legal backing. The governor recognizes that enforcement must be guided by laws that deter, punish, and prevent crime.
Under his leadership, the Edo State House of Assembly amended the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, introducing the death penalty by hanging for anyone convicted of kidnapping. Governor Okpebholo’s firm stance – including his public declaration of readiness to sign death warrants – sends a strong message that Edo will no longer tolerate criminality in any form.
Another bold legal reform is the Demolition and Confiscation of Properties Used for Criminal Activities. This provision ensures that crime does not pay by targeting the economic foundations of offenders and their sponsors. The demolition of properties linked to kidnapping or cult activities has become a visible deterrent, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance approach.
Furthermore, in October, 2025, the governor initiated plans to regulate the operations of scavengers and scrap dealers – groups often linked to theft and vandalism of public assets. The proposed legislation, once passed, will establish a legal framework for their registration and monitoring, ensuring accountability and curbing criminal exploitation under the guise of informal trade.
Governor Okpebholo’s security model is people-centered. He believes that security must be community-owned to be sustainable. Accordingly, his administration lifted the ban on the Edo State Vigilante Network and integrated it into the broader state security framework. These local vigilantes, drawn from communities, are now better trained, better equipped, and more accountable.
In many rural areas, their presence has drastically reduced farm invasions and kidnappings. The administration has also created pathways for outstanding members of the vigilante groups to be absorbed into the civil service – a strategy that formalizes their role and ensures continuity in community policing.
Collaboration with federal security agencies has also been deepened. The state now works closely with the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, and Civil Defence Corps on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. The administration has extended these collaborations to include the protection of strategic national assets such as petroleum pipelines, reflecting its commitment to securing both people and infrastructure.
The results of these interventions are beginning to reflect across Edo State. Reported incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes have reduced noticeably, while the recovery of arms and arrest of high-profile criminals have increased. Communities that once lived in fear now report greater confidence in government protection.
In recognition of these achievements, members of the National Assembly have commended Edo’s security model as a workable template for other states. The House of Representatives particularly noted the efficiency of Operation Rescue and the coordination among multiple agencies under the governor’s leadership.
Beyond statistics, the true measure of progress lies in the restored confidence of Edo people – farmers returning to their fields, travelers resuming night journeys, and markets staying open without fear. This renewed sense of normalcy is perhaps the most compelling evidence of success.
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s pursuit of security is not driven by political expediency but by a profound conviction that peace is the foundation upon which every other aspect of development rests. His approach – proactive, inclusive, and technology-oriented – has laid the foundation for a secure Edo State where citizens can live, work, and invest without fear.
By combining enforcement with empowerment, legislation with compassion, and technology with intelligence, the administration has moved Edo from a reactive stance on security to a proactive, preventive, and sustainable system.
The Security Pillar of the SHINE Agenda stands today as a testament to focused leadership, courage, and strategic planning. And as Governor Okpebholo often asserts, “When people feel safe, society begins to grow again.”
In this renewed Edo, safety is no longer a privilege – it is a right, guaranteed by a government that truly understands that a secure state is a shining state.
– Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State
