Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that some criminals operating in the state are bringing in collaborators from outside Edo to assist them in carrying out criminal activities.
The governor said these external collaborators often take custody of kidnapped victims after abductions, keeping them in the bush while ransom negotiations are handled.
Okpebholo stated this while speaking at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City.
He said although insecurity remained a concern, reports being circulated on social media about the security situation in the state were exaggerated and, in some cases, aimed at portraying his administration negatively.
The governor recalled a recent incident reported along the Sapele Road, saying he immediately directed security agencies to respond, but investigations later showed that the reported incident did not occur.
“Do you know one funny thing — 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,” the governor 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.”Okpebholo also warned religious leaders against intervening for individuals arrested in connection with criminal offences, insisting that such appeals would not be considered.
“Pastors, if you hear that I have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me,” he said.
The governor admitted that Edo was not completely free from security challenges but maintained that the level of insecurity was being overstated by individuals with political interests.
“All of this is just to bring this government down, to give it a bad name. It is not that we are free, but not in the way they are hyping it,” he said.
He assured residents that security agencies were working continuously to prevent criminals from gaining control in any part of the state.
Okpebholo also asked members of the congregation to pray for President Bola Tinubu, stating that the removal of fuel subsidy, though difficult, had contributed to visible development across Edo State.
In her remarks, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo praised the governor for his commitment to faith and governance, praying that he would successfully complete his tenure and leave the state better than he met it.
The Vice Chairman of CAN in Edo State, Rev. Alfred Agbonlahor, also commended the governor for the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Benin-Sapele Road.
