Insecurity: Oba of Benin summons native doctors as Edo mulls special court to hasten trial of kidnappers

BY JONATHAN IDIAHI – BENIN

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has summoned native doctors, traditional priests, and priestesses to an urgent meeting over the worsening security crisis in Edo and Nigeria.

 

This is contained in a statement signed by Chief Victor Nosakhare on behalf of Benin Traditional Council Secretary Frank Irabor on Friday.

 

The statement noted that the meeting would hold at 12 p.m. prompt on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Oba’s Palace.

 

The palace said the meeting, convened under the authority and directive of Oba Ewuare II, and must be treated with utmost urgency.

 

According to the statement, it is aimed at exploring traditional means to complement government efforts in tackling insecurity.

 

In a related development, the Benin Traditional Council will host youth leaders, known as Okaighele, the following day, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same time and venue, according to another statement from the palace authority.

 

The development signalled involvement of the palace as traditional institutions moved to support security agencies amid rising kidnapping and cult-related violence in the state.

 

Meanwhile, Senator Monday Okpebholo  said the Government will establish a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists.

 

The governor said he will sign their death warrant after prosecution so that they can be publicly executed at Ring road ( King Square ) to serve as deterrent to those who would toe the same part.

 

Okpebholo made the declaration during a parade of suspects at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, where he also rewarded officers who arrested a suspect linked to Sunday’s kidnapping at the Vegetable Market.

 

Among those paraded were kidnap syndicates, including a suspect arrested over last Sunday Vegetable Market incident and Mrs Oluchi, who was involved in self-kidnap.

 

The governor said: “We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists. Within two weeks, once 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,” the governor said.

 

Governor Okpebholo said he acted swiftly after the Sunday incident, immediately directing the Commissioner of Police to ensure the perpetrators were caught.

 

One suspect was subsequently arrested, one was neutralised during the operation, and two others remain at large.

 

Continuing, the governor said. “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 appealed to Edo residents to steer clear of criminal activity, saying it is cheaper to live within one’s means than to gamble one’s life on crime.

 

As a mark of commendation, the governor presented the sum of N10 million to the police operatives who apprehended the kidnap suspect.

 

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to track down the remaining members of the kidnap gang.

 

Items recovered from the arrested suspect include a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle, and cash totalling N2,250,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime.

 

The State Commissioner of Police expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for his continued support to the command and to Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu for his guidance, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

 

He urged members of the public to keep providing timely and credible information to the police.

In a similar vein, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has cautioned religious leaders against pleading for arrested criminal suspects in Edo State, thereby breeding social vices and undermining public trust in religion institutions in the State.

 

Dr Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said he spoke on Wednesday at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City, the State Capital.

 

He stated that criminal networks operating in the state are now being reinforced with recruits from other parts of the country with local collaborators.

 

According to the Governor, these criminal gangs, including Clerics who intercede on behalf arrested criminal suspects behind kidnap-for-ransom operations and handing over victims to hired gangs in the bush with the support of other criminal from other parts of the federation.

 

Referencing an incident in which he received a report on the Sapele Road, and immediately deployed security operatives to the area, only to discover that nothing had happened in Edo State.

 

Okpebholo who warned that such practices will no longer be tolerated, said, “Pastors, if you hear that I have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me”.

 

He asked, “Do you know one funny thing — our people are now going outside Edo to recruit criminals to help them do the job. They will kidnap somebody and hand the victim over to them in the bush.

 

“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”, according to him.

 

Addressing the gathering earlier, the Vice Chairman of CAN in Edo, Rev. Alfred Agbonlahor, applauded the Governor for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Benin-Sapele Road.

 

In her remarks, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo commended the governor for his commitment to faith and public service, and prayed that he would complete his tenure strong and leave Edo better than he met it.