From Ebohon Joan
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appealed to residents of the state to support the government and security agencies in their efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other forms of crime.
The governor made the call in Benin during a programme organised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to mark the International Day of Peace. The theme of the event was, “Invest in Peace, for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Security and Public Safety, Festus Ebea, Okpebholo urged residents not to contribute to insecurity but to work with the government and security agencies to find lasting solutions.
He said his administration had taken steps to reduce cultism in the state, while police and other security agencies had also intensified weekly bush-combing operations to prevent kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The governor stressed that government alone could not eliminate insecurity and therefore called on residents to play their part by providing useful information and supporting security efforts. He also disclosed that a special court had been established to handle cases involving suspected cultists and kidnappers.
Okpebholo further urged Nigerians to support the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in addressing insecurity across the country. He said peace was essential for development and urged everyone to embrace peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the event, the Edo State NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Ayinla, said peace goes beyond simply avoiding war or violence. According to him, lasting peace requires justice, dialogue, tolerance, respect for human rights and the protection of communities.
He explained that peaceful communities provide a better environment for children to learn, businesses to grow, families to prosper and governments to deliver development.
Ayinla also emphasised that maintaining peace should not be left to security agencies alone. He said government institutions, traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups, businesses, the media, families and individual citizens all have important roles to play.
The Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, also called on stakeholders to see peace as an investment. He warned that drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking could undermine peace and security, stressing that fighting the drug problem was an important part of building a peaceful society.
The guest lecturer, Agatha Osieke of the WOCAP Foundation for Women, Youths and Children Advocacy Initiative, encouraged Nigerians to promote peace wherever they live. She noted that maintaining peace is far less costly than dealing with the consequences of conflict and disunity.
Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie, said justice was important to achieving lasting peace. He urged political leaders to ensure fairness in the distribution of government appointments, warning that perceived imbalance could create tension and division.
The Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Abdulfatai Enabulele, commended security agencies for their efforts to combat insecurity and called for continued government support for them.
The Christian Association of Nigeria in Edo State also stressed that the promotion of peace should begin from the family and extend to the wider community and society.
