Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sought partnership with traditional rulers across the state’s 18 local government areas to curtail crimes and criminality.

Mr Okpebholo made the appeal while addressing traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial districts, who came on a courtesy visit to Government House on Thursday in Benin City.

According to him, there is heightened insecurity in Edo State and the best persons to help the state to fight it are the traditional rulers.

Mr Okpebholo said, “You are the ones that know your domain because you know those living there and those coming into the communities. I thought we would have a discussion on how to put an end to this ugly situation. Many of those kidnappers are not from outside but many of them are our people.

“I have not seen a Fulani person entering a local government headquarters to pick someone except our people. Our people know those who are wealthy and those who are not; they know the movement of the people in the community.

“I want to appeal to traditional rulers that if we must stop insecurity in the state, we must work together to achieve this purpose. Let nobody encourage crime; our children should not be involved, let them know it’s dangerous, as the President is not happy and I am not happy as well.”

The governor solicited support from the traditional rulers to ensure Edo State would give President Bola Tinubu about 85 per cent of the votes in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Ojuromi of Uromi, His Royal Highness (HRH) Anslem Edenojie II, passed a vote of confidence in the governor, adding that his developmental strides were commendable. 

(NAN)