Edo Governor Urges Release of Kidnapped Victims, Warns Against Politicising Insecurity

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals recently abducted across the country. The governor made the demand during the flag-off of the APC campaign for the Edo South Senatorial District local government elections at Urhokpota Hall in Benin City on Tuesday.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo declared that no political party can attain power through kidnapping, banditry, or other forms of criminality. He condemned the growing wave of kidnappings and warned against using insecurity as a tool to undermine governance and national stability.

“Those seeking political power should not distract President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from delivering good governance to Nigerians. Kidnapping innocent citizens will not win elections. Political power cannot be secured through criminal activities,” Okpebholo said.

The governor expressed concern over the recent abduction of students, teachers, and other citizens in different parts of the country, including Oyo State, and called for their immediate release. He maintained that insecurity should not be allowed to derail the administration’s development agenda.

Okpebholo also praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased resources available to states for critical infrastructure and development projects. He pledged the support of Edo State for the President ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating, “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”