Two prominent clerics, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo and Pastor Obby Okeke, have commended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his administration's efforts in tackling insecurity in the state. The pastors spoke during the 2026 Harvest of Family Intercessory Ministries (FIM) International Inc., attended by the governor and top officials of his administration. Agbonifo praised the governor for his efforts to combat kidnapping, cultism, banditry, and other criminal activities in the state.
According to Agbonifo, the state is very peaceful today due to the governor's courage, commitment, and determination to confront criminal activities. She attributed the improvement in security to the governor's administration, noting that people were previously kidnapped, and cult killings were prevalent in the state. However, Agbonifo appealed to the governor to address the poor condition of roads, particularly those in the Government Reserved Area (GRA).
Pastor Okeke, the General Overseer of Christian Brethren Ministries (CBM), also thanked the governor for his administration's response to the kidnapping of victims at a vegetable market. She said the swift arrests of the suspects brought relief to those affected, as the victims were close friends of the church. The governor's administration had made progress in tackling crime and would sustain efforts to improve security across the state.
Governor Okpebholo disclosed that his administration had procured more than 40 vehicles and motorcycles to strengthen security operations. He said the government would deploy the vehicles and motorcycles to strategic junctions to enable security personnel to respond quickly to distress calls. The governor also noted that special forces were undergoing training and would be deployed in the coming weeks to strengthen surveillance and monitor movement across the state.
On the condition of roads, particularly in the GRA, Governor Okpebholo disclosed that five contractors had been identified to handle road construction projects in the area after the rainy season. He said the government would work on roads across the state to make them motorable, noting that poor planning and inadequate drainage had contributed to the condition of some roads.
The governor acknowledged that executing the road construction projects would be challenging but said proper planning was necessary to achieve the government's objectives. He assured that the administration would address the drainage problems as part of its road construction and rehabilitation plans. The governor's administration aims to make Edo roads safer and more motorable.
The meeting with the pastors and the governor's address on security and road construction reflect the government's efforts to engage with stakeholders and address the state's challenges. The governor's commitment to improving security and road infrastructure is crucial to the state's development and the well-being of its citizens.
Key points
- The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has been commended for his administration's efforts in tackling insecurity in the state.
- Pastors have urged the governor to address the poor condition of roads across the state.
- The governor's administration has procured vehicles and motorcycles to strengthen security operations and plans to deploy special forces to enhance surveillance.
