Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared an uncompromising stance against violent crime in the state, vowing to sign the death warrants of all convicted kidnappers regardless of their familial or political ties to him.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an official executive address at the Government House in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized that he is prepared to personally supervise the execution of condemned kidnappers to ensure absolute deterrence across Edo State.
The Governor’s firm statement comes in the wake of recent judicial rulings by the Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City. Presided over by Justice High-Court Judge / Trial Judge Justice Momodu, the special court was inaugurated to fast-track cases involving kidnapping, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The court recently handed down death sentences to four individuals convicted over a high-profile violent kidnap raid at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City. Addressing state officials, security agencies, and media representatives, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his determination to rid the state of violent criminal networks.
“I pray our brothers are not involved because I will sign it. Even if it is my father, I will sign it. The truth is this: we just have to get some bad elements out of the system for the system to stand,” Governor Okpebholo stated. ”People have gone through severe trauma. If I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing,” he added.
The Governor revealed that he has already directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State to expedite the compilation and processing of execution warrants for convicted kidnappers who fail to appeal or exhaust their legal remedies within the statutory 30-day window.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court sentenced four convicts on September 29, 2026, following their prosecution on an 11-count charge including conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism. Delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu noted that the law mandated the capital sentence for the proven offenses.
Governor Okpebholo noted that since assuming office, his administration had prioritized security in consultation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who gave full backing to aggressive operations against criminal gangs in the South-South region.
The Governor also warned traditional rulers, community leaders, and political figures against making appeals or attempting to intervene on behalf of anyone convicted of kidnapping or violent crime in Edo State.
