Edo’s next security milestone

By: Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele

WHEN Governor Monday Okpebholo appeared before a parade of suspected kidnappers and cultists at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City last week, it was an official and practical demonstration of his commitment to a safer and secure Edo State as Chief Executive. It was also to give vent to Security, the first aspect of his governance model — Project SHINE. He announced plans to establish special courts for their speedy prosecution and he was not merely making a policy statement. He was responding to a critical gap in the state’s fight against insecurity.

Not used to allow grass grow between his ideas and implementation, the Governor has since moved beyond announcement. In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Edo State government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, dated June 19, 2026, he formally requested the Chief Judge of Edo State to constitute special courts dedicated to the speedy trial of kidnapping and cultism-related cases. The request is for the nomination of three judges — or any number the Chief Judge considers appropriate — to establish the special courts.

That is the essence of purposeful governance which is the hallmark of the New Edo: identifying a challenge, designing a solution and immediately activating the institutions required to deliver results.

Fact is across Nigeria, one of the biggest obstacles in the criminal justice system remains delay. Serious criminal cases often take years to conclude. Witnesses become difficult to trace, evidence weakens over time, victims lose confidence, and accused persons remain in custody for extended periods without final judgment. The consequences are severe. A justice system that moves slowly can weaken public confidence and reduce the deterrent effect of the law.

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For criminals, uncertainty about the speed of prosecution can create a dangerous calculation — that arrest may not immediately lead to punishment. This is the gap Edo State’s proposed special courts are designed to address. But the argument maybe that there are existing laws. The issue is not the absence of laws. Nigeria and Edo State have enacted strong legal frameworks against serious crimes. The challenge is ensuring that those laws are applied efficiently and decisively.

For Governor Okpebholo, the proposed special courts will provide a focused judicial structure for handling cases involving kidnapping and cultism. With dedicated judges and a specialised mandate, such courts can reduce delays, improve case management and ensure that justice is delivered within a reasonable period.

Such specialised courts are not unusual in countries facing serious security threats. There are examples from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to name a few. Several jurisdictions have created dedicated judicial structures to handle terrorism, organised crime and national security offences because ordinary court processes are often overwhelmed by the complexity and volume of such cases.

Edo State is therefore adopting a practical approach: matching the speed of criminal investigations and arrests with a judicial process capable of delivering timely outcomes. The decision to focus on kidnapping and cultism together is deliberate.

In many communities across the state, organised criminal activities thrive through networks involving recruitment, intimidation, illegal financing and territorial control. Cult groups often provide structures that can support other violent crimes, including kidnapping. Addressing one without confronting the other leaves room for criminal networks to regenerate.

Recent security operations in Edo State show the scale of the challenge. Between March and May 2026, the Edo State Police Command reported the arrest of 119 suspects and the rescue of 58 kidnapping victims during intensified operations against violent crimes. Behind those figures are individuals crippled with apprehension, families devastated by fear, communities disrupted by criminal activities and a society demanding stronger protection.

The judicial system must therefore move at the same pace as security operations.

Arrests alone cannot deliver lasting justice. The establishment of special courts is the next logical step in the security architecture being developed by the Governor Okpebholo administration since it assumed office.

Earlier the legal framework against cultism has been strengthened through reforms to the state’s anti-cultism law, introducing tougher penalties for cult-related offences, sponsors of criminal groups and individuals who assist offenders.

Governor Okpebholo has also strengthened the legal response against kidnapping, prescribing severe penalties for offenders, including the death sentence where victims lose their lives, life imprisonment for certain kidnapping offences and lengthy prison terms for accomplices. These laws have laid the foundation. The special courts will provide the mechanism for effective enforcement. A strong law without timely prosecution cannot fully achieve its purpose.

The new judicial structure is aimed at closing that gap.

Legal experts will argue that the effectiveness of any criminal justice system depends not only on the severity of punishment but also on the certainty and speed of enforcement. They know that when criminals know that cases will be handled quickly and decisively, the deterrent effect of the law becomes stronger. Governor Okpebholo has made it abundantly clear that criminal activities will not be tolerated and that those found guilty must face the full consequences provided by law.

The endorsement of the proposal by stakeholders, including Senator Joseph Ikpea, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, reflects growing support for measures aimed at restoring security and confidence across the state. The message is simple: security agencies must arrest offenders, prosecutors must present cases effectively, and the courts must deliver justice without unnecessary delay.

For victims of kidnapping and families affected by violent crimes, justice delayed often feels like justice denied. A rescued victim and an arrested suspect represent only the beginning of the process. The final test is whether the criminal justice system can successfully prosecute offenders and secure convictions. The special courts will ensure that serious security cases receive the attention they require. They will help prevent criminal cases from disappearing into years of legal delays and assure citizens that government action does not end at arrest.

•Dr Ebojele has his PhD in Public Administration and is the Chief Press to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.