By Kingsley Ohens
As Edo State approaches its 35th anniversary on August 27, 2026, attention is increasingly turning to the journey of the state, its challenges and the direction of its development under the administration of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.
In almost one year and eight months in office, security has remained one of the defining areas of the administration’s intervention. For Governor Okpebholo, the argument has been straightforward: development can only be meaningful when citizens are able to live, work, travel and conduct their businesses without fear.
The administration inherited a security environment in which kidnapping, cult-related violence, armed robbery and criminal activities in some communities had generated considerable concern. Its response has therefore focused on strengthening the security architecture, improving operational capacity and intensifying coordination among security agencies and community-based security structures.
*Rebuilding the security architecture*
One of the major steps highlighted by the administration has been the reorganisation and retraining of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), with emphasis on professionalism, discipline, intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.
The administration says more than 2,500 Security Corps personnel have been trained and inaugurated, while efforts have also been made to address the proliferation and misuse of firearms within the state’s security environment.
The provision of more than 60 new Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles, hundreds of patrol motorcycles, communication equipment and other operational logistics has equally been presented as part of the effort to improve mobility and rapid response.
The deployment of patrol motorcycles, particularly around forest corridors and vulnerable routes, is intended to strengthen surveillance and make it more difficult for criminal elements to exploit remote areas as operational bases.
*Stronger coordination and rapid response*
Another significant component of the administration’s security strategy has been improved coordination between the state government, the Nigerian Army, police, other security agencies and community-based security structures.
The establishment of a Forward Operational Base for the Nigerian Army has been described as an important step towards reducing response time when serious security threats emerge.
The administration has also constituted a seven-man Security Committee and a Public Safety Response Team to strengthen coordination and expand security coverage across communities.
This approach reflects a broader shift from reactive security operations towards intelligence-led prevention, surveillance and rapid intervention.
*Confronting cultism and kidnapping*
Perhaps one of the most consequential aspects of the administration’s security agenda has been its declared determination to confront cultism.
Cult-related violence has historically presented a difficult challenge in parts of Edo State, particularly because of its links with youth violence, organised criminal activity and communal insecurity.
The Okpebholo administration has responded with stronger enforcement measures, including the passage of a new Cultism Prohibition Law and the establishment of the Edo State Special Security Squad Against Cultism and Kidnapping.
The administration has also maintained that the fight against cultism should not be limited to the individuals directly involved in violence, but should extend to those who finance, harbour or provide safe environments for criminal activities.
The reported reduction in cult-related violence and armed robbery represents one of the areas the administration will likely point to as evidence of progress as Edo marks 35 years as a state.
Kidnapping, meanwhile, remains a serious security challenge nationally and in Edo. Yet the administration’s stated objective has been to confront the threat through improved intelligence, forest surveillance, inter-agency coordination and faster response mechanisms.
*Community confidence and economic activity*
Security has an impact beyond crime statistics. It affects agriculture, commerce, transportation, education and the ability of communities to remain active after dark.
One of the broader implications of improved security is therefore the possibility of restoring confidence among farmers, traders, transport operators and residents who may previously have restricted their movements because of fear.
The administration says farmers are increasingly returning to their farms and that residents are travelling with greater confidence on routes that were previously regarded as vulnerable.
For a state with significant agricultural potential and a growing commercial economy, this dimension of security is particularly important. A safer environment creates the conditions for businesses to operate, communities to develop and investors to have greater confidence.
*Laws, institutions and enforcement*
The administration’s security strategy has not been limited to vehicles and personnel. It has also pursued institutional and legislative measures.
These include the reconstitution of the Edo State Security Corps, the passage of stronger anti-cultism legislation, the constitution of the Public Safety Response Team and the strengthening of specialised security structures against cultism and kidnapping.
The training of Data Collection Officers across the 18 local government areas is another indication of an attempt to make intelligence gathering an integral part of the state’s security architecture.
Modern security increasingly depends on accurate and timely information. The ability to identify emerging threats, map vulnerable areas and communicate intelligence quickly can determine whether an incident is prevented or allowed to escalate.
*Leadership and direct engagement*
Perhaps one of the more distinctive features of Governor Okpebholo’s security narrative has been his emphasis on direct engagement with security chiefs.
The Governor has repeatedly stressed the need for continuous communication with the heads of security agencies, including obtaining operational updates and responding to emerging threats.
This hands-on approach is consistent with his broader argument that security cannot be treated as a ceremonial responsibility of government. It requires constant monitoring, coordination and intervention.
As Edo counts down to its 35th anniversary, the security question therefore offers an important lens through which the first phase of the Okpebholo administration can be assessed.
There are still challenges. Kidnapping has not disappeared, and maintaining the gains against cultism and other forms of violent crime will require sustained investment, professional policing, community cooperation and respect for due process.
Nevertheless, the administration’s emphasis on restructuring security institutions, strengthening laws, providing operational equipment, improving intelligence gathering and confronting cultism more aggressively represents a significant part of its governance agenda.
*Edo @35: A state looking forward*
Thirty-five years after its creation, Edo State stands at another point of reflection.
The story of the state cannot be told only through government projects, infrastructure or economic statistics. The fundamental question is whether citizens feel sufficiently secure to pursue their livelihoods and whether communities can look towards the future with confidence.
Under Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, security has been placed prominently on that agenda.
The emerging picture is one of an administration seeking to move from fragmented responses to a more coordinated security system—one built around personnel, legislation, intelligence, logistics and community engagement.
As the state prepares to celebrate Edo @35 on August 27, the progress made in security under the Okpebholo administration will remain an important part of the conversation about the state’s next chapter.
The work, however, is ongoing. The real test will be the sustainability of these gains and the ability to build a security environment where peace becomes not an occasional achievement, but a permanent foundation for development.
*About the writer*
*Kingsley Ohens* is a Nigerian journalist, media strategist and public affairs writer with a strong interest in governance, community development and political communication, particularly in Edo State. He has covered public affairs, political activities and development initiatives across the state, producing reports and analytical features aimed at bringing government policies and community issues closer to the public.
Through his work, Ohens focuses on documenting developments, examining public policies and highlighting issues that shape the lives of citizens. His reporting combines field-level observations with an interest in governance, leadership and public accountability.
As Edo approaches its 35th anniversary, Kingsley Ohens continues to examine the state’s development trajectory and the policies shaping its next phase.
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