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Okpebholo Restates Commitment to War Against Cultism, Kidnaping
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fighting cultism, kidnapping, and other crimes in the state.
He pointed to the sustained demolition of criminal hideouts to buttress this in a statement in Benin City, on Thursday night by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua.
It was gathered that Governor Okpebholo made this declaration during an interactive session with youths across the 18 local government areas of Edo State at the New Festival Hall in Government House.
He emphasized that his administration will not spare criminals and criminal elements in the state, ensuring that Edo remains safe for all.
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“We will fight cultism to a standstill, and if that is the only achievement for me as governor of Edo State, I will be satisfied. If you have a kidnapper as a brother or friend, ask him to leave your house, or else you will soon be homeless, as demolition of kidnappers’ hideouts will continue in the state.”
The governor assured that his administration will pay double for every weapon returned under the amnesty programme, aimed at ensuring peace and unity in the state. “I will pay double for every gun returned by cultists who embrace the amnesty programme,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo also urged youths to stop engaging in criminal activities, such as kidnapping and cultism, and to allow the police to do their job.
“We must keep Edo safe and deal with the pressing issues facing the state,” he emphasized. “If not, investors will not come to invest in Edo State.”
The governor commended the Chief Judge of Edo State for supporting the fight against criminality and acknowledged that tough strategies must be employed to make progress. “We all must collaborate to keep Edo safe,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State chapter, Comrade Moses Aguinede Joseph, commended the governor for inviting Edo youths for an interaction to solve challenges facing the youths. “This interactive section is a good way to solve the challenges facing the youths of Edo State and shows that the governor is a listening governor and father to all in the state,” he said.
The youths appealed to the governor to talk to security agencies to stop extorting innocent Edo youths who have been victims of police extortion. They also urged the police to follow the rule of law and not take the law into their hands.
Representatives of youths from faith-based organizations and civil society groups also commended the governor for his developmental strides and fight against criminality in the state. They urged the governor to continue the fight against cultism, kidnapping, and other crimes, and to engage youths to keep them busy.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agnonika commended the governor for the interactive section and for engaging youths to discuss the way forward for Edo state. He acknowledged complaints from the public about police misconduct and appealed for collaboration in eliminating such behavior.
The interactive session was attended by leaders of youths across the 18 local government areas of Edo State, top government functionaries, security chiefs, youth leaders, civil society organizations, and others.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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