The Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Thursday, said many recent kidnapping incidents in the state were being aided by local collaborators who possessed information about residents, their movements and financial status.
The governor said the trend underscored the need for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, insisting that royal fathers remain critical partners in efforts to tackle insecurity and other criminal activities across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Okpebholo stated this while receiving traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.
”Traditional rulers are well positioned to identify suspicious persons because of their closeness to their communities and knowledge of those who reside or move into their domains,” the governor stated.
He urged the monarchs to work closely with the government and security agencies by providing credible information capable of exposing criminal elements and preventing further attacks.
The governor urged traditional rulers not to shield or encourage criminals, stressing that young people must be discouraged from engaging in unlawful activities.
Responding on behalf of the visiting monarchs, the Ojuromi of Uromi, Anslem Edenojie II, passed a vote of confidence on the governor and commended his administration’s developmental strides across the state.