Groups seek special courts to tackle crime in Edo

Monday Okpebholo. Photo credit: Instagram | The VOTAGE

The National President of the National Council for Civil Society Organisations and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative, Emmanuel Johnny, has called for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and criminality in Edo State.

Johnny made the call at the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, he commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism, cybercrime, and other violent offences, particularly by strengthening the Edo State Security Corps, recruiting forest guards, and establishing special courts.

Johnny, however, urged the governor to consolidate the gains recorded by taking further steps against serious crimes.

“I want to urge Okpebholo to promptly sign execution warrants for persons duly sentenced to death by competent courts for heinous crimes, including kidnapping and cult-related killings, in accordance with state laws.

According to him, “swift execution of lawful sentences would serve as a strong deterrent to would-be criminals.”

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The civil society leader also appealed to the state government to establish a Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centre in each of the three senatorial districts.

He proposed that the centres should contain photographs and records of criminals duly condemned and executed, saying they would educate young people on the consequences of crime and discourage them from engaging in cultism, kidnapping and cybercrime.

Johnny said other governors could help Nigeria make significant progress in the fight against insecurity by demonstrating the level of commitment he attributed to the Edo State Government.

He said, “If every governor shows the same sincerity and determination that Senator Monday Okpebholo has shown, where every life is considered sacred and must be protected, criminality will have no hiding place in Nigeria.”

Johnny also urged Edo residents and Nigerians generally to reject criminal activities and support efforts by security agencies to build a safer society.

He assured that Civil Society Organisations under his leadership would continue to support the Edo State Government and security agencies in the state in their efforts to eliminate criminality.
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‎Johnny also commended Okpebholo for adopting an approach he said had long been advocated by civil society organisations, including decisive law enforcement, speedy dispensation of justice through special courts and community ownership of security.
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‎He urged residents of Edo State and Nigerians across the country to shun criminal activities and support efforts aimed at building a safer and more prosperous society.