In furtherance of the amnesty offered cultists in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has offered to pay double for every weapon surrendered to the government under his recently proposed amnesty programme.
Governor Okpebholo, who vowed to fight cultism to a standstill even if that would be his only achievement in office, advised Edo people to chase away from their houses their brother or friend who is kidnapper, “or else you will soon be homeless, as demolition of kidnappers’ hideouts”.
Speaking during an interactive session with youth organisations across the 18 local government areas of the state at the New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, the governor emphasised that his administration would not spare criminals and criminal elements in the state to ensure it remained safe for all.
According to him, “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.”
On illegal possession of firearms, the governor said, “I will pay double for every gun returned by cultists who embrace the amnesty programme”.
While counseling youths to stop engaging in criminal activities such as kidnapping and cultism, and to allow the police do their job, the governor insisted, “We must keep Edo safe and deal with the pressing issues facing the state, if not, investors will not come to invest in Edo State.”
He commended the Chief Judge for supporting the fight against criminality and acknowledging 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, appreciated the governor for inviting the youths for an interaction to solve challenges facing them, positing that “This interactive session 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”.
The youths appealed to the governor to prevail on security agencies to stop extorting innocent Edo youths as many had fallen 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 organisations and civil society groups also commended the governor for his developmental strides and fight against criminality in the state. They encouraged him 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 Agbonika 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 behaviour.
The interactive session was also attended by top government functionaries, security chiefs, youth leaders, civil society organisations, among others.