Civil society leader urges stronger crime measures in Edo

A civil society leader has called for stronger measures against insecurity and criminality in Edo State, including the creation of special crime-related institutions. Emmanuel Johnny, president of the National Council for Civil Society Organisations and the Vision One Leadership Development Initiative, made the appeal at the Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026 in Abuja. In a statement issued on Sunday, Johnny commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for measures he attributed to the administration, including strengthening the Edo State Security Corps, recruiting forest guards and establishing special courts.

He urged the governor to build on those steps by signing execution warrants for people sentenced to death by competent courts for serious offences, including kidnapping and cult-related killings, in line with state laws. Johnny said carrying out lawful sentences would deter potential criminals. He also proposed a Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centre in each of Edo’s three senatorial districts.

He said the centres should contain photographs and records of criminals who had been convicted and executed, with the aim of showing young people the consequences of crime. Johnny described decisive law enforcement, faster justice through special courts and community ownership of security as measures civil society groups had advocated. He called on Edo residents and Nigerians to reject criminal activity and support security agencies.

He said civil society organisations under his leadership would continue supporting the Edo government and security agencies. He also urged other governors to show what he described as a similar commitment to protecting lives.