The National President of the National Council for Civil Society Organisations and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative, Emmanuel Johnny, has urged the Edo State Government to take further steps to tackle serious crimes in the state. He made the call at the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja. Johnny commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his efforts to address insecurity, but emphasized the need for more decisive action.
Johnny specifically suggested that Governor Okpebholo should promptly sign execution warrants for individuals sentenced to death for heinous crimes, such as kidnapping and cult-related killings. He believes that swift execution of lawful sentences would serve as a strong deterrent to would-be criminals. This approach is part of a broader strategy to consolidate the gains made so far in the fight against insecurity in Edo State.
The civil society leader also proposed the establishment of Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centres in each of the three senatorial districts in Edo State. These centres would contain photographs and records of convicted and executed criminals, aiming to educate young people about the consequences of crime and discourage them from engaging in cultism, kidnapping, and cybercrime.
Emmanuel Johnny's suggestions are part of a larger call for governors across Nigeria to demonstrate a similar level of commitment to tackling insecurity. He believes that if every governor shows the same sincerity and determination as the Edo State Government, significant progress can be made in the fight against criminality. Johnny's advocacy is backed by civil society organisations, which have long advocated for decisive law enforcement and community ownership of security.
Governor Okpebholo has been commended for adopting an approach that includes decisive law enforcement, speedy dispensation of justice through special courts, and community ownership of security. Johnny urged residents of Edo State and Nigerians generally to reject criminal activities and support efforts by security agencies to build a safer society. He assured that Civil Society Organisations under his leadership would continue to support the Edo State Government and security agencies in their efforts to eliminate criminality.
The National Council for Civil Society Organisations and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative is one of several groups pushing for stronger measures to tackle insecurity in Edo State. Their efforts are focused on supporting the state government and security agencies in their bid to create a safer and more prosperous society. By advocating for special courts and other measures, the group aims to contribute to a broader strategy for reducing crime and promoting peace in Nigeria.
The call for special courts and other measures to tackle crime in Edo State comes amid ongoing efforts to address insecurity and promote peace in Nigeria. With the support of civil society organisations and other stakeholders, the Edo State Government is working to create a safer and more prosperous society for its residents. The outcome of these efforts will be closely watched, as they have the potential to inform broader strategies for tackling insecurity across Nigeria.
Key points
- Civil society groups are calling for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and criminality in Edo State, Nigeria.
- The National President of the National Council for Civil Society Organisations and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative, Emmanuel Johnny, has urged the Edo State Government to take further steps to tackle serious crimes.
- The proposed measures include the establishment of Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centres and the swift execution of lawful sentences for heinous crimes.
