Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed that criminals will find no safe haven in the state under his watch.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Government House, Benin City, while commissioning over 300 motorbikes for distribution across the state’s three senatorial districts, the governor said the initiative was a fulfilment of his campaign promise to tackle insecurity.
Okpebholo declared, “We promised our people during the campaign that we would fight insecurity and restore peace to every part of Edo State. Today, we are fulfilling that promise. These bikes will be deployed across the senatorial districts and will help security agencies reach areas where vehicles cannot go.”
He warned criminal elements to steer clear of Edo, stressing that the new mobility for security agents, coupled with other technology being deployed, would make it almost impossible for them to operate.
The Governor further stated, “Let me be clear, criminals must leave Edo State. These motorbikes, along with other security technologies we are deploying, will make it very difficult for them to operate. We are not just equipping the system, we are maintaining it. These bikes will be properly serviced and supported to ensure continuous use.”
The commissioning was witnessed by top security and government stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika; Commander of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gani Audu.
CP Agbonika described the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security operations, particularly in tackling kidnapping and other crimes in forested areas.
“This is a great day in our fight against crime. With these motorbikes, we can now go deep into the forests where criminals hide. The days of impunity are over,” the police boss said.
He also urged residents to support security agencies with credible information to aid crime prevention and investigation.
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo also commissioned heavy-duty equipment for the Edo State Waste Management Board. The new machines include bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors, aimed at improving sanitation across the state.
The governor criticised the past administration for spending over ₦50m monthly on rented caterpillars, calling the practice unsustainable.
“The previous administration spent over N50 million monthly to rent caterpillars for waste management. That is not sustainable. These machines were not rented, they were purchased with Edo people’s money for Edo people’s use,” Okpebholo said.
The Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Lucky Enehita-Inegbeneh, hailed the intervention as a game changer.
“With these new machines, we now have the capacity and capability to clean Edo more effectively. This is a sign that the governor truly cares about the welfare of the people,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo’s dual interventions in security and sanitation mark what observers described as a significant step in his administration’s determination to deliver practical leadership and results-driven governance.
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