Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating cultism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in the state.
The governor made this known after a closed-door meeting with commanders and leaders of the Special Security Squad on Wednesday evening at the Government House in Benin City.
The meeting, which was attended by key stakeholders, including the governor’s deputy, Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor; and a member of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Ameloemen Idemudia Noah, aimed to strategise on intensifying the crackdown on cultism and kidnapping in Edo.
According to a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo described the meeting as successful.
Okpebholo noted that attendees were able to brainstorm on ways to ensure the state remained safe for all.
His words: “We had a very useful meeting that concerns the fight against cultism and kidnapping.
”We want to see that Edo State is safe for all of us and that we are able to drive a strong economy. This is the reason for today’s meeting,” the governor said.
The statement also revealed that since the inauguration of the Special Security Squad, calm has gradually returned to the state, with several arrests made in a series of coordinated raids.
The team, comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local hunters, vigilante groups, and repentant cultists, among other stakeholders, has identified several hotspots, conducted unexpected raids, arrested suspects and leaders of cult groups, and restored relative peace to affected areas, particularly in Benin City.
The governor’s commitment to ensuring the state’s safety was evident in the administration’s efforts to intensify the crackdown on cultism and kidnapping.
With the Special Security Squad’s achievements, it is expected that the state would continue to experience relative peace, enabling the government to drive a strong economy and provide a safe environment for all residents.
