Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called for the establishment of special courts to handle kidnapping and cultism cases, saying swift prosecution is necessary to curb rising criminal activities and ensure justice is delivered without delay.
The governor made the remarks on Thursday during the parade of suspected kidnappers and cultists arrested by the Edo State Police Command in Benin City.
Expressing concern over prolonged judicial processes, Okpebholo said criminal cases often drag on for years, weakening the fight against insecurity and denying victims timely justice. He argued that dedicated courts would accelerate the prosecution of offenders and serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in criminal activities.
According to the governor, his administration is determined to strengthen the state’s response to kidnapping and cult-related violence, which have become major security concerns in several parts of the country.
Addressing some of the suspects during the parade, Okpebholo warned that the government would not tolerate criminality and vowed to ensure that those found guilty face the full weight of the law.
He maintained that Edo State would remain hostile territory for kidnappers, cultists and other criminal elements, stressing that security agencies had intensified intelligence gathering and law enforcement operations across the state.
The governor also appealed to young people to shun cultism, kidnapping and other forms of crime, noting that such activities ultimately destroy lives and futures.
“It is better to build a legitimate future than to engage in criminal activities that may cost you your freedom or even your life,” he said.
Among those paraded was a 45-year-old woman, Oluchi Ugbowan, who police said allegedly orchestrated her own abduction in a bid to extort ₦50 million from her family.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, explained that investigators uncovered the plot through intelligence-led operations. He said one Israel Ability was arrested after allegedly making ransom calls on behalf of the suspect.
Further investigations led officers to a hotel in Obiaruku, Delta State, where the woman was reportedly found and later confessed to the scheme.
Police also disclosed that a pump-action gun allegedly used in creating threatening videos linked to the case was recovered during the operation.
In a separate breakthrough, the command paraded suspects linked to the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City. Authorities said the arrests were made following actionable intelligence and coordinated security operations.
The latest arrests come as the Edo State Government continues to intensify efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes through enhanced collaboration with security agencies.
Security analysts say the governor’s proposal for special courts could reignite national conversations about judicial reforms and the need for faster prosecution of serious criminal offences.
