On the heels of the recent claim by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that Edo State is now infected by insecurity, the state government has charged the security agencies to do a “thorough probe into the role of PDP leaders in the rising wave of kidnappings and armed violence,” adding that “is not just necessary—it is long overdue.”
The state government stated “the resilience of Edo State is currently being tested by evil merchants, individuals sponsoring a surge in violent crimes, particularly kidnappings and other forms of insecurity.
“Disturbingly, intelligence reports indicate that these crimes are not just the handiwork of random criminal elements but are being sponsored by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their aim? To create chaos, undermine the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, and destabilize governance in the State.”
Going further, the state government asserted, “in recent months, Edo residents have witnessed an alarming increase in abductions, targeted attacks, and orchestrated misinformation campaigns. A sad carryover from the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s.
“Security sources reveal that certain PDP leaders are not only financing these acts of terror but are also using them as political tools to cast the current administration in a bad light. This calculated effort to sabotage the government through fear and propaganda must not go unchecked.”
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According to the government, “during the 2024 Edo governorship election, the former PDP-led government recklessly armed non-state actors, flooding the State with dangerous weapons. Many of these arms were never retrieved, contributing to the proliferation of small arms and fueling the present security crisis. The failure to mop up these weapons has emboldened criminal elements who now use them for nefarious activities, including kidnappings and assassinations.”
The state government accused the PDP leaders of doubling up on misinformation and “issuing false statements to the public and international observers. They have actively sought to discredit Governor Okpebholo’s security initiatives while providing tacit support to violent actors. The implications of this are dire, as it erodes public trust in governance and further emboldens criminals.
“Given the weight of these allegations and the security implications, it is imperative that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies launch a thorough investigation into the involvement of PDP leaders in these crimes. No individual or political group should be allowed to hold the state hostage for political gain. Those found culpable must face the full wrath of the law.” The statement concludes.
