Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has claimed that the recent surge in abductions across the country is a deliberate plot aimed at weakening the resolve of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an engagement with Igbo leaders at the Government House in Benin City, the governor alleged that the kidnappings were politically motivated and designed to create fear and instability ahead of political contests.
According to him, a similar strategy was deployed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said, “What they are doing now is that they will go and kidnap people just because they want to discourage Mr President, but he is resolute.”
Okpebholo further alleged that those behind the crimes were motivated by political ambition rather than criminal intent.
“They are kidnapping people because somebody wants to win an election, it’s not fair. They did this to Goodluck Jonathan and they succeeded, but we know their trick already,” he said.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Edo Governor’s assertions follow a new series of kidnappings perpetrated by bandits in various parts of the country.
In November, armed men invaded Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in the Eruku area of Kwara State, abducting worshippers during a service.
Similarly, suspected bandits kidnapped at least 10 residents in Biresawa and Tsundu communities in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Governor Okpebholo insisted that such incidents were part of a broader, politically driven plot, but maintained that the tactics would not succeed against the incumbent administration led by President Tinubu.
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