Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said he will sign the death warrants of four people convicted of kidnapping at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, if they fail to appeal their sentences within 30 days.
The governor stated this during a fellowship programme at God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry in Benin City, where he gave an account of his administration’s efforts to curb kidnapping, cultism and violent crimes.
Okpebholo said insecurity is one of the biggest challenges he met on assumption of office, adding that he had discussed the security situation and the condition of roads in Edo with President Bola Tinubu.
He said he responded to the Vegetable Market kidnapping incident by informing the President about the attack and assuring him the State would handle it.
The governor said he prayed for the arrest of the perpetrators within 24 hours before instructing the Commissioner of Police.
“I told him I wanted these guys arrested because I already have an approval from God, and they were caught within that time,” Okpebholo was quoted as saying.
He said that the suspects were sentenced to death by an Edo State Special Criminal Court on September 29, 2026, for the abduction of a woman at the market.
“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,” the governor said.
Okpebholo added that before commencing his administration’s crackdown on kidnapping and cultism, he met with prominent traditional rulers across the state to warn them against interceding for anyone involved in such crimes.
He also recounted what he described as spiritual battles associated with the campaign, saying strange incidents occurred after his government demolished a building linked 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 said.
In his remarks at the event, Founder of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Apostle Ehijele Umuahia, urged members of the congregation to participate actively in the 2027 general elections and vote for the governor and his preferred candidates.
Citing Proverbs 29:2, Umuahia said prayers for leaders should go hand-in-hand with civic responsibility, calling on Christians to come out in large numbers to vote.
He described Okpebholo as a humble man with a long-standing commitment to God, saying he has known him for over 15 years from the days of the late Chief Tony Anenih.
“Whenever Chief Tony Anenih came to visit me, he was one of those who accompanied him,” Umuahia said. “That was how we came to know each other.”
Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court sentenced the four men — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — to death on multiple counts for their involvement in the kidnapping of the woman on June 14, 2026.
They were tried on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish I have the law permit me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” Justice Momodu, while delivering the judgment.
The judge sentenced Isaac to seven years’ imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine, 10 years’ imprisonment on count 10, and life imprisonment on count 11.
Michael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine.
Emete Michael received seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
Raphael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.
Justice Momodu also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits in the case, directing that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State CID for destruction within 30 days.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court was inaugurated on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and expedite the prosecution of violent crimes in the State.