Gov Okpebholo Vows Tough Times for Kidnappers in Edo

Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin

Following the killing of kidnapped victim, Abu Momoh Tahir, in Auchi, Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has reiterated his resolve to tackle cases of kidnapping with renew vigour.

The governor who reaffirmed his commitment to security in the state condoled with the family of the slain victim.

The governor said Tahir’s death was avoidable while assuring the public that those who carried out the dastardly act will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law. “They surely will not escape the long arms of the law.”

Recall that two brothers were kidnapped on January 1, 2026, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Abu Ibrahim, who is currently undergoing housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi, was returning home with Tahir when they were kidnapped.

They had arrived at their residence at about 7:30 p.m. and Tahir had stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate when the gunmen, who reportedly laid ambush for them, abducted the brothers at gunpoint. They were whisked into the bush.

The kidnappers had on Saturday demanded N200 million to effect their release. However, during bush combing on Sunday, Tahir’s corpse was recovered by security agencies, comprising of the police, army and local vigilante by the bank of a river.

Meanwhile, the Edo State government has described abduction and killing of Tahir as unfortunate, painful and deeply regrettable, assuring the public that the incident does not diminish the resolve of the state to sustain and intensify its fight against kidnapping and other crime.

A statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, stated: “The government notes that the existential threat of kidnapping has become a worrisome issue that has taken more than a devoted attention of government. But for our intervention and the quality of what we have invested in curbing kidnapping, the spate would have been more alarming than what we presently have.

“The Okpebholo-led administration has been relentless in providing solutions to several security challenges; the peaceful and crime-free yuletide celebration is an indication of our commitment to making Edo state safe for all.

“The incident of the doctor’s kidnap was quite unfortunate, painful and regrettable, as it tended to cast a slur on our spirited efforts at addressing this challenge.

“Before the yuletide season, men of the Operation Rescue carried out a holistic bush combing exercise across Auchi, Agenebode, Okpella, Fugar and Owan areas to expose kidnappers’ den.

“The exercise was not only successful; the number of persons arrested and being prosecuted presently underscored the extent of the exercise. The Operation Rescue team were able to destroy quite a number of hide-outs of these kidnappers aside from the arrest.

“Some were also killed in the cause of fire power exchanges in the forests. This is to make the point that the government is not resting on its oars, and the initial perennial incidences of kidnapping have been decimated to its lowest ebb. Our deliberate effort to nip the issue in the bud has yielded a lot of successes and we are determined to make Edo safe for all.”

Governor Okpebholo called on the public to show solidarity and cooperation particularly in the area of intelligence sharing with men of the Operation Rescue and other security agencies.

“Security concerns are a function of both the government and the people they govern. It is a collective indulgence that should not be left in the hands of the government alone.”

He promised that his government will continue to improve to make Edo non-habitable for crimes and criminalities as he called on all to be vigilant around their environment at all times.

“If anyone observes strange movements around their vicinity, appropriate report should be given to the law enforcement agents without delay,” he counselled.