Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said he will sign the death warrants of four convicts sentenced to death for kidnapping a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, if they fail to appeal their sentences within 30 days.
The governor made this known while speaking during a fellowship at God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, where he reviewed his administration’s efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Okpebholo described insecurity as one of the major challenges he encountered on assuming office.
He said he had raised concerns about the condition of roads and the security situation in Edo State with President Bola Tinubu during a meeting with the President.
Recalling the abduction incident at the Vegetable Market, the governor said he contacted Tinubu after the attack and was asked whether he could handle the situation.
Okpebholo said he assured the President that he could, adding that he subsequently prayed for the kidnappers to be apprehended within 24 hours before contacting the Commissioner of Police to demand their arrest.
“I told him I wanted these guys arrested because I already have an approval from God, and they were caught within that time,” the governor was quoted as saying.
He disclosed that the four defendants had since been sentenced to death, expressing the hope that they would not appeal the judgment.
“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 30 days, they don’t appeal, I will execute,” Okpebholo said.
An Edo State Special Criminal Court reportedly sentenced the four defendants to death on September 29, 2026, for the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market on Airport Road, Benin City.
The governor also spoke about his administration’s campaign against kidnapping and cultism, saying he had met with prominent traditional rulers across the state and warned them against intervening on behalf of anyone involved in such crimes.
He further recounted what he described as unusual incidents involving spiritual forces following the demolition of a building allegedly associated with 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 said.
Meanwhile, the founder of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Apostle Ehijele Umuahia, urged members of the congregation to vote for Okpebholo and his preferred candidates in the 2027 elections.
Citing Proverbs 29:2, Umuahia said prayers for political leaders should be accompanied by active participation in the democratic process, urging Christians to turn out in large numbers to vote.
The cleric described Okpebholo as a humble man with a longstanding commitment to religious devotion, adding that he had known the governor for more than 15 years, dating back to the time 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,” Umuahia said.
He added that Okpebholo had maintained his devotion to God despite the demands of public office.
