“Edo will be safer in one month” — Okpebholo promises five-minute security response

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured residents that his administration is putting measures in place to enable security agencies to respond to security threats anywhere in the state within five minutes.

Mr Okpebholo gave the assurance during a Sunday service at Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, along Sapele Road, Benin City. His Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, disclosed this in a statement.

The governor said the state would become safer within the next month, while dedicated emergency numbers would soon be provided for residents and others in distress to request immediate security assistance.

“We will continue to work for Edo people. In terms of security, Edo will be safer in the next month. We will be able to respond to security threats in any part of the state within five minutes,” Mr Okpebholo said.

Tackling crime

The governor said the administration’s objective was to make Edo safer than it found it by tackling kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities.

He also assured residents that the government remained committed to creating an environment where people could live and conduct their businesses safely.

As part of the planned security improvements, dedicated emergency telephone numbers are expected to be made available to the public.

The government urged residents to use the channels to seek immediate assistance whenever they are faced with security threats or emergencies.

Church commends governor

The pastor of the church, Emmanuel Ebiye, commended Mr Okpebholo over what he described as the governor’s developmental agenda and efforts to improve Edo State.

Mr Ebiye also thanked the governor for donating food items, including rice and cooking oil, to churches for distribution to their members.

“We appreciate your transformation, development and growth experience across all sectors in the state. I pray for grace to be with you. Thank you for all you are doing for Edo people,” he said.

2027 election

Mr Okpebholo and his entourage later visited Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International along Sapele Road, where the church’s General Overseer, Charles Osazuwa, expressed optimism that the 2027 general election would be peaceful and that Nigeria would remain united.

Mr Osazuwa urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as prophecies of doom about the country, saying elections would come and go without disrupting Nigeria’s continuity.

He also encouraged Christians to acquire skills and engage in productive activities that would enable them to contribute to the economy, while urging leaders to invest more in human capital.

Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that procurement for the construction of roads, including what he referred to as “mechanics and peanut roads,” was almost complete.

He said work would soon begin and that contractors would be expected to continue working through the rainy season to accelerate completion of the projects.

Fuel Subsidy

Mr Okpebholo also said Edo State was making progress in its fight against insecurity and urged residents to pray for President Bola Tinubu over the removal of the fuel subsidy.

He linked the subsidy removal to improved road infrastructure across the country.

For residents, the proposed five-minute response target is aimed at reducing the time between the reporting of a security incident and the arrival of security personnel.

If implemented effectively, the plan could improve emergency response to kidnapping, robbery and other crimes. However, its success will depend on the availability of functional emergency lines, adequate personnel, mobility, intelligence and coordination among security agencies.