HOW GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO IS WINNING THE WAR ON INSECURITY IN EDO STATE.

Under his SHINE Agenda, security sits as one of the 5 cardinal pillars. And the results are speaking.

From War Zone to Watchful State

Governor Okpebholo’s approach is simple: give security agencies tools, train the men, tighten the laws, and show criminals Edo has no hiding place.

1. He Armed the Fight

No patrol vans, no results. So he delivered. 80 brand-new Toyota Hilux vans + 16 Prado Jeeps with communication gadgets. 400 motorcycles, plus 300 more, to chase criminals into forests and rough terrain. He donated a squadron of drones + Eagle Combat Drone Unit to police. Forward Operating Bases now dot strategic flashpoints for rapid response. For the first time, our security men can move faster than the criminals.

2. He Invested in People

Weapons without welfare is waste. Governor Okpebholo recruited and trained 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps. 1,470 of them got 2 weeks of professional training from the Nigerian Army. For the first time ever, ESSC members now earn monthly salaries + health insurance. Hunters, vigilantes, and anti-cult groups were profiled and put on government payroll. Morale is up, and so is performance.

3. He Declared War on Criminals

July 2025: “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers & Cultists” was launched. Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC, hunters, vigilantes - all 18 LGAs, one mission. At the start, he created “Operation Rescue” to respond to distress calls and dismantle crime cells. The House of Representatives commended it. When a kidnapper posted threats online, he convened an emergency Security Council and activated surveillance across Benin-Auchi, Ekpoma-Uromi, Ehor-Iruekpen and other corridors.

4. He Made the Law Bite

Weak laws breed bold criminals. So he repealed the old Anti-Cultism law and signed a stronger Anti-Kidnapping law. Penalty? Death for kidnappers. Properties used by criminals? Demolished. His message was clear: “Edo will no longer be a safe haven for criminals. I’ll not hesitate to sign kidnappers’ death warrant.”

5. The Results Are Coming In

The numbers don’t lie. From January 2026 alone: 87 suspected kidnappers apprehended. 30 victims rescued unhurt. In Ekpoma, 9 abductees including 5 children were freed unharmed using drones + local hunters. Schools threatened by bandits in Akoko Edo were temporarily shut, then reopened June 15, 2026 with enhanced security. The Nigerian Army 4 Brigade confirms: sustained operations have disrupted criminal networks and restored peace.

The Verdict

From farmlands to highways, markets to schools, Governor Okpebholo is systematically restoring the sense of safety every Edo citizen deserves. His administration rebuilt the security architecture through collaboration, legislation, and technology.

Edo is moving from a state battling insecurity to one leading a coordinated campaign for peace and public order. 

Edo is safer. Edo is rising. This is the SHINE Agenda in action.