Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, has pledged to prosecute those guilty for the killings that occurred in seven towns in the Ovia Southwest Local Government Area on February 21, 2025.
Yesterday, Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s commitment to bringing long-lasting peace and security back to the area during an on-the-spot evaluation of the impacted towns.
The governor promised to support the construction of a police outpost in the region, improving security and response capabilities, in order to stop such attacks in the future. He assured them that no crime would go unpunished under his leadership and underlined that peace and security continue to be his top priority.
Edo governor said: “From the testimonies I have heard and the investigations conducted, these are criminals who invade your farms to steal the crops you have laboured for. As a government, we will go after them. I assure you that you will live here in peace. Our actions will prove that lasting peace is coming.”
“No individual should be more powerful than an entire community—burning houses and killing people, just to steal farm produce. Wherever they are hiding, we will hunt them down, bring them to justice, and ensure that peace prevails.”
Okpebholo also advise the residents of the area to remain calm, and not take the law into their hands, assuring them of government’s intervention.
He said: “I understand your pain, but I urge you to take heart. Do not fight anyone or resort to violence. Maintain the peace, as you have been doing. I assure you that we will work here, so you can feel the presence of the government and experience real development. “
“We have already deployed soldiers n the area, and we now have three additional Operation Rescue patrol vehicles to support them. Once I return to Benin, I will liaise with Edo Commissioner of Police to expedite the establishment of a police outpost here, so as to ensure sustained security.”
In furtherance of his peace efforts, Edo governor also met with leaders and members of Gbelebe, a neighbouring Ijaw community, where he sued for harmony and assured them of government support.
He said: “My core mission as Edo governor is to restore peace and bring development. Without peace, there can be no progress. These killings and conflicts must stop.”
“This is a large community with no roads and no electricity, and yet, instead of focusing on development, criminality persists. ”
“I assure you that my administration will gradually bring meaningful development here.”
According to Madoti and Gbelebe community leaders, the problem started when criminals tried to steal produce from farmers in Madoti’s agricultural settlements but were stopped by a recently established local watchdog group.
The leaders bemoaned the persistent threat of agricultural theft and implored Okpebholo to step up measures to safeguard people and property and guarantee that farmers could work without worrying about being attacked.
