Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo
Edo State Government has dismissed reports alleging that students were kidnapped in Sabongida-Ora, describing the claim as false and deliberately intended to create panic among residents.
The Sate Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, who made the rebuttal in a statement issued on Thursday, said investigations revealed that no such incident occurred in the community.
According to him, the individual responsible for spreading the report has been arrested and will be prosecuted.
“This is to bring to the attention of the general public that there was no incident of kidnapping of school students in Sabongida-Ora of Edo State as being erroneously published and circulated,” Afegbua stated.
“The young man who orchestrated the fake news to cause panic in the minds of the students has since been arrested and will face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to those who have since become masterminds of fake news.”
The commissioner said Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to strengthening security across the state through ongoing investments aimed at improving the state’s security architecture.
“Governor Okpebholo has invested so much into overhauling the security architecture of the state and will leave no stone unturned in his determination to secure lives and property as constitutionally required of him,” he added.
Afegbua also disclosed that security operatives had successfully rescued a woman who was abducted near the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City.
“It will interest the public to note that the Police, acting on the instructions of the Governor, have rescued the woman who was kidnapped around Vegetable Market off Airport Road, on Sunday 14th June, 2026,” he said.
“The kidnappers have also been arrested and presently under Police custody for prosecution. The Governor is not resting on his oars in his determination to make Edo State safe for all.”
The state government further warned residents to be cautious about the information they share and the people they trust, noting that some kidnapping incidents are aided by insiders.
“The Governor has sounded a note of caution to all citizens to be wary of who they keep as friends or family members. We have discovered that kidnapping is often a coordinated attack that involves family members, relations and friends, who easily give tip-off to the kidnappers,” Afegbua stated.
He called on residents to support law enforcement agencies with credible information that could help curb criminal activities, particularly kidnapping.
“We call on all citizens to help the Police in gathering intelligence to mitigate the incidences of kidnapping across the state. We will never bow to the unwholesome activities of criminals in whatever guise in our shared commitment to making Edo State better for all,” the statement added.
The government reiterated its commitment to combating insecurity and urged the public to verify information before sharing it, especially reports capable of causing fear and unrest.
