Senator Joseph Ikpea, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, has thrown his weight behind Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to accelerate the prosecution of suspected kidnappers and cultists in Edo State, describing the move as a necessary step in the fight against insecurity.

Ikpea also praised the governor’s recent security initiatives, particularly the crackdown on kidnapping syndicates operating in parts of the state, which led to the rescue of a woman abducted at the popular Vegetable Market in Benin City and the arrest of a suspected member of the gang.

In a statement issued on Friday from his Ewatto country home in Esan South-East Local Government Area, the senator commended Governor Okpebholo and security agencies for their swift response to the incident.

The commendation followed the parade of suspected kidnappers by the Edo State Police Command on Thursday, including an individual alleged to have participated in the Vegetable Market abduction.

During the event, Governor Okpebholo reiterated his determination to tackle kidnapping and cult-related crimes, stating that he would facilitate the establishment of a special court to ensure that the trial of suspected kidnappers and cultists is concluded within two weeks. The governor also declared that convicted offenders would face the full weight of the law.

In recognition of the operation that led to the rescue of the kidnapped woman, Okpebholo announced a cash reward of N10 million.

Reacting to the development, Ikpea described the governor’s immediate directive to security agencies after the abduction as commendable and praised the coordinated efforts that resulted in the victim’s rescue and the arrest of a suspect.

“Governor Okpebholo’s prompt directive to the Edo police to fish out the perpetrators of the Vegetable Market kidnap incident, immediately after the Sunday incident in Benin City and the response of the police and other security agencies that led to the rescue of the kidnapped woman and the arrest of a member of the gang is highly commendable,” he said.

The senator noted that the governor’s actions had sent a strong message to criminal elements across the state while reassuring residents that government was committed to protecting lives and property.

He said the operation demonstrated that criminal activities would no longer be tolerated and that Edo State was becoming increasingly hostile to those engaged in kidnapping and other violent crimes.

According to him, “It is a clear signal to criminal elements around the state that nowhere is safe for them and a huge confidence booster for the citizens of the state that they are safe.”

Ikpea pledged continued collaboration with the state government to strengthen security across Edo Central and other parts of the state.

“As the senator representing Edo Central, I reaffirm my support and determination to collaborate with the state government in ensuring that Edo Central is safe.

“I am also committed to working with my fellow senators in the other senatorial districts to collaborate with the state government to ensure security in all parts of the state,” he added.

The lawmaker further urged residents and indigenes of Edo State to regard security as a collective responsibility, stressing that effective crime prevention requires active public participation.

“When everyone is involved in the business of security, all the bad elements in the state will either repent or relocate as they would have realised that Edo State is no safe haven to criminals,” he said.

The senator maintained that sustained cooperation between government, security agencies and the public remains essential to winning the fight against kidnapping, cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.