Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced that criminals will have no hiding place in Edo State under his administration.
The Governor made the bold declaration while commissioning over 300 motorbikes for distribution across the State’s three senatorial districts to enhance security operations.
The commissioning, which took place at the Government House in Benin City, attracted top security and government stakeholders, including the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika; Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gani Audu, among others.
Governor Okpebholo said the motorbikes are specifically designed to support security agencies in accessing hard-to-reach terrains, particularly forest areas where criminal elements often seek refuge.
According to the Governor, “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 added, “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.”
Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, hailed the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security efforts, especially in tackling forest-based crimes like kidnapping.
Agbonika said, “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.”
He called on residents across the state to support security agencies by sharing credible information to aid crime prevention and investigation.
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo also commissioned heavy-duty equipment, including bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors, to enhance the operational capacity of the Edo State Waste Management Board.
The move is aimed at ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for Edo residents.
While addressing stakeholders at the commissioning, the Governor criticized the past administration’s practice of renting equipment monthly at exorbitant costs.
He said: “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.”
The Governor emphasized that his administration is committed to long-term investments that deliver value to the people rather than enriching consultants and contractors.
Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Lucky Enehita-Inegbeneh, commended the Governor for the strategic investment, describing it as a major leap forward in environmental sanitation.
He said: “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.”
Governor Okpebholo’s twin interventions in the security and environmental sectors mark a significant step in his administration’s resolve to build a safer, cleaner, and more efficient Edo State.
As security agencies prepare to roll out their operations with renewed strength and the waste management board boosts its response capacity, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to practical leadership and results-driven governance.