A woman was snatched from a vegetable market in Benin City on Sunday, and the Edo State Government is now under pressure to prove its security promises aren't empty.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the Edo State Police Command to investigate the abduction, and the command has already started work. The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, made this known during a radio programme on Wednesday.
"The governor gave a clear directive, and the Police Command is acting on it. We want the family and members of the public to know that this matter is being treated with urgency. The perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice," Ebojele said.
Ebojele also warned social media users against sensationalising security incidents. He said exaggerated reports create unnecessary panic and can disrupt ongoing security operations.
Since taking office, Okpebholo has invested heavily in security personnel, equipment, and intelligence gathering. Ebojele said the improvement is already visible, though he acknowledged that insecurity remains a challenge across Nigeria and globally.
"When Governor Okpebholo came into office, the security situation in Edo State was a major concern. Since then, he has invested heavily in personnel, equipment and intelligence infrastructure. The improvement is evident. We aren't where we were, and we'll continue working until our people are fully protected," he said.
As part of the broader security strategy, the state is training forest guards recruited from local government areas and host communities. Ebojele explained that locals know the terrain — the forests, pathways, and communities — making them effective at securing rural areas and protecting farmers.
"These are people who know the environment. They understand the forests, the pathways and the communities. That local knowledge is a major advantage in securing rural areas and protecting farmers who depend on these lands. The farmlands and forests will become safer soon," Ebojele said.
The forest guard initiative aims to complement conventional security agencies and improve surveillance in rural communities that are vulnerable to criminal activity.
Ebojele urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities to security agencies, and support ongoing efforts to maintain peace across the state.
The kidnap at the vegetable market is the latest test of Okpebholo's security agenda. The governor was elected partly on a promise to tackle the insecurity that has plagued parts of Edo, including kidnapping gangs that operate in the state's forests and along highways.
Police haven't released details about the victim or the circumstances of the abduction. No group has claimed responsibility.
For now, all eyes are on the police investigation. The government has made its promise. The question is whether it can deliver.