Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said that he won't hesitate to sign execution warrants

According to him, criminals marked for death will be executed at Ring Road in Benin City, in the full glare of the public

Okpebholo made the declaration on Thursday 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.

“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists. Within two weeks, the court is done with proceedings. I will sign your execution. We will take you to the 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.

Okpebholo thrn issued a string warning to criminals operating in Edo.

“They will never find peace in Edo. The message to all criminals is that they will not go free after committing a 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 said.

The governor also pushed back against criticism of the federal government’s handling of security, arguing that the results being recorded on the ground are evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is funding security operatives effectively.

“I wonder why people keep complaining that the president is not working. The president is funding the security operatives to function well. That is why we are happy about the results we are getting today,” Okpebholo said.

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.

Also, Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City, Okpebholo said insecurity remained a genuine concern.

The governor cited a recent report of an incident along Sapele Road that prompted him to deploy security operatives, only to discover “nothing had happened”.

“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,” Okpebholo said.

“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,” he added.