Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State yesterday mentioned he wouldn’t hesitate to signal the demise of the 4 convicted Vegetable Market kidnappers if they didn’t attraction in opposition to the judgment inside the stipulated time.
He mentioned even when they appealed they have been simply suspending what would nonetheless come on them.
Speaking throughout a fellowship at God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, whereas reviewing his administration’s efforts to curb kidnapping, cultism and different violent crimes in Edo State, mentioned insecurity was one of the largest worries he met on assuming workplace.
Okpebholo mentioned that he raised the state of the roads and the safety state of affairs with President Bola Tinubu at their assembly who he mentioned give him the approval to resolve the problems.
The governor mentioned that when the gunmen struck on the Vegetable Market in Benin City, he referred to as the President, who requested if he might deal with it, and he mentioned he might.
“I referred to as the Commissioner of Police and instructed him I needed these guys arrested, as a result of I have already got an approval from God, and so they have been caught inside that point.
“They are already sentenced to death, and I pray they don’t appeal the judgment. Even when they appeal the judgment, they are only delaying time. If within the days stipulated, they don’t appeal, I will execute,” he mentioned.
An Edo State Special Criminal Court on September 29 2026 sentenced 4 defendants to demise for the kidnapping of a girl on the Vegetable Market alongside Airport Road, Benin City.
The governor mentioned that earlier than he started the marketing campaign in opposition to kidnapping and cultism, he met outstanding conventional rulers throughout the state to warn them in opposition to interceding for anybody concerned within the crimes.
He recalled many unusual incidents linked to religious forces after his administration pulled down a constructing related to a cult group: “A black bird died in my office when I demolished their building. A vulture also died in my bed while contesting for governorship,” he mentioned.
Founder of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Apostle Ehijele Umuahia, through the occasion urged church members to vote for the governor and his most popular candidates within the 2027 elections.
Citing Proverbs 29:2, he instructed the congregation that prayer for the governor ought to associate with energetic participation within the electoral course of. Christians, he mentioned, ought to come out in massive numbers to vote.
Umuahia described Governor Okpebholo as a humble man whose dedication to the issues of God predates his time as governor. He mentioned he has identified him for over 15 years, from the times of the late Chief Tony Anenih.
“Whenever Chief Tony Anenih came to visit me, he was one of those who accompanied him. That was how we came to know each other,” he mentioned.
