Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has emphatically promised justice for the perpetrators of the February 21st killings that ravaged seven communities within the Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
During an on-the-ground assessment of the affected regions, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to restoring enduring peace and bolstering security in the troubled area.
Visibly moved by the devastation, Governor Okpebholo pledged to facilitate the immediate establishment of a police outpost to deter future attacks and significantly enhance security measures. He underscored that maintaining peace and security remains his foremost responsibility, stating unequivocally that no crime will go unpunished under his leadership.
“From the testimonies I have heard and the investigations conducted, these are criminals who invade your farms to steal the crops you have laboured for. As a government, we will go after them. I assure you that you will live here in peace. Our actions will prove that lasting peace is coming. No individual should be more powerful than an entire community—burning houses and killing people just to steal farm produce. Wherever they are hiding, we will hunt them down, bring them to justice, and ensure that peace prevails,” Governor Okpebholo asserted during his visit.
Acknowledging the understandable anger and grief of the residents, the governor urged restraint and emphasized the importance of allowing the government to take decisive action.
“I understand your pain, but I urge you to take heart. Do not fight anyone or resort to violence. Maintain the peace as you have been doing. I assure you that we will work here so you can feel the presence of the government and experience real development. We have already deployed soldiers to the area, and we now have three additional Operation Rescue patrol vehicles to support them. Once I return to Benin, I will liaise with the Commissioner of Police to expedite the establishment of a police outpost to ensure sustained security,” he stated.
Further demonstrating his commitment to peaceful resolution, Governor Okpebholo engaged with leaders and members of the neighboring Ijaw community of Gbelebe, appealing for harmony and guaranteeing governmental support.
“My core mission as governor is to restore peace and bring development. Without peace, there can be no progress. These killings and conflicts must stop. This is a large community with no roads and no electricity, and yet, instead of focusing on development, criminality persists. I assure you that my administration will gradually bring meaningful development here,” the governor assured the Gbelebe community.
Community leaders from both Madoti and Gbelebe recounted the circumstances leading to the crisis, explaining that the violence erupted when suspected criminals attempted to steal farm produce from farmers in Madoti’s settlements, only to be confronted by a recently formed local vigilante group.
The leaders voiced their deep concern over the long-standing problem of farm theft and implored the governor to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property, thereby allowing farmers to work without fear of constant attacks. The governor’s swift response and commitment to establishing a permanent security presence offer a glimmer of hope for a return to peace and stability in the region.
