The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has charged that “thugs” from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are to blame for the state of Edo’s instability.
The government allegedly claimed that the accused PDP thugs had 5,000 illegal guns in their possession.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the governor’s chief press secretary, Fred Itua, the Edo government claimed that the previous administration had recruited some of the suspected armed thugs into the state’s vigilante group.
Armed thugs and criminal groups connected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are causing an increasing amount of insecurity, which the Edo State Government is extremely concerned about.
“These people, who were well-armed prior to the Edo governorship election in 2024, have refused to give up their firearms, endangering our residents’ safety in a blatant and immediate manner.
Former Governor Godwin Obaseki is known to have publicly threatened that “Nigeria would burn” prior to the most recent election. This was not just a political tirade; it was a calculated statement supported by the organized equipping of thugs and touts.
It stated, “These individuals, many of whom were drafted into the Edo State Security Network during the previous administration, continue to possess more than 5,000 illegal firearms, which they use to commit violent attacks, kidnappings, and robberies throughout the State.”
The government of Okpebholo accused PDP leaders of providing protection to the armed thugs. In the event that its former candidate for governor, Asue Ighodalo, does not win at the tribunal, he further charged the party with preparing to unleash chaos with the help of armed thugs.
The state’s security depends on security forces retrieving the weapons from the accused PDP thugs, the administration said.
It is known to the Edo State Government that PDP leaders, who were directly in charge of these armed agents, have declined to help disarm them. They continue to protect these criminals instead, giving them shelter while they terrorize innocent people.
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Even worse, intelligence assessments suggest that PDP officials are accumulating more weapons in preparation for a potential chaos if their nominee, Asue Ighodalo, loses the Tribunal.
The State Government is urging all security forces to step up their investigations, find these armed criminals and their backers, and prosecute them.
Any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our people will not be tolerated by Edo State, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo. This is because no one is above the law, regardless of their political affiliation.
“We call on law enforcement to act quickly to recover all firearms that have been unlawfully possessed and to hold accountable those who are causing Edo’s current insecurity.
“Governor Okpebholo will not permit politically sponsored violence to establish itself in our State, and the safety and welfare of the Edo people continue to be his top priorities,” the statement said.
