Edo State Gov Okpebholo reads Riot Act to criminals, declares war on cultists

EdoToday reports that Gov  Monday Okpebholo is fulfilling his campaign promises by charging his security agencies to fish out criminal elements in the State.

The governor read the riot act to criminals while briefing newsmen at the end of an inaugural security meeting, held behind closed doors at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

Okpebholo, who lamented the spate of ongoing cult-related killings in the state, noted that his administration places priority on the security of lives and property.

The governor ordered heads of various security agencies to make the state unsafe for criminal elements.

“During my campaign, I placed security above all. It is a priority for my administration because it is important. The issue of cultism dominated the discussion. The rate of cultism is not acceptable to my administration.

“The issue of cultism is not acceptable in Edo State. We do not want to lose anybody, and we will be firm about this. We have ordered security agencies to collaborate and ensure that Edo is safe for all, but not safe for criminals.

“We charged them to smoke criminals out of the State wherever they are hiding and ensure that the State is safe for all,” he said.

He urged security agencies to collaborate and ensure that they put a stop to the killings in the State, especially in Benin City.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Police, Umoru Peter Ozigi, said the Governor has assured them of the support of his administration in ensuring that Edo is safe for all.

According to him, “We just finished the first security council meeting with the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo. We have discussed areas of concern and our efforts so far.

“The Governor has assured us that he will give us the needed support and ensure that Edo State is a place for all to live and do business peacefully.”

EdoToday recalls that Governor Okpebholo had earlier given  24-hour ultimatum to the Edo State Commissioner of Police to end the violent cult clashes in the State.