The Edo State Government has moved to restore calm after a video began circulating online showing a man who claims to be a bandit issuing threats around Ekpoma and several nearby communities.
Officials said Governor Monday Okpebholo was alerted as soon as the clip gained traction and immediately summoned a security meeting with top commanders.
Those close to the discussions said the Governor treated the matter with urgency, noting that he had already been holding routine briefings on rising security concerns across Edo state.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said in a statement on Wednesday that surveillance has been stepped up on major roads and vulnerable areas in recent weeks.
Itua said the strengthened coverage includes the Benin to Auchi Expressway, the Ekpoma to Uromi route, the Ehor to Iruekpen corridor, the Benin Bypass, the Ewu to Irrua to Ubiaja stretch and the Benin to Afuze to Auchi corridor. Officials say the plan is to detect threats early, respond quickly and keep criminal groups under pressure.
Following the Governor’s latest instruction, joint teams drawn from the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and the Edo State Special Security Squad have intensified their operations.
Patrols and search missions are currently running across forests, boundary communities and places repeatedly linked to criminal activities.
Itua confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with recent incidents and that several leads are being pursued. “The Government urges citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies,” he said. His statement also warned residents not to spread unverified claims or panic-driven videos.
Mr Itua added that the security operations will not stop until every part of Edo, from its busiest urban areas to its most remote rural communities, is safe for residents, travellers and investors.
He stressed that Governor Okpebholo remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
“His administration will continue to deploy all lawful measures to ensure that criminality has no breathing space in Edo State,” he said.
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