Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said his administration is putting measures in place to enable security agencies respond to threats anywhere in the state within five minutes.

The governor, who promised a significant improvement in security within the next one month, said dedicated emergency telephone numbers would soon be made available to residents to seek immediate assistance when confronted with security threats.

Okpebholo spoke during a Sunday service at Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, along Sapele Road, Benin City.

“We will continue to work for Edo people. In terms of security, Edo will be safer in the next one month. We will be able to respond to security threats in any part of the state,” he said.

The governor said his administration’s objective was to make the state safer than it inherited by stepping up efforts against kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

He urged residents to make use of the emergency numbers when unveiled, assuring that security agencies would be positioned to respond rapidly to distress calls.

Okpebholo also thanked the church for its prayers and support for his administration, saying the government remained committed to creating an environment where residents could live and conduct their businesses without fear.

Pastor Emmanuel Ebiye of the church commended the governor’s development initiatives and efforts to improve security and infrastructure across the state.

“We appreciate your transformation, development and growth experience across all sectors in the state. I pray for grace to be with you. Thank you for all you are doing for Edo people,” Ebiye said.

He also thanked the governor for donating food items, including rice and cooking oil, to churches for distribution to members.

Okpebholo and his entourage later visited Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International, also along Sapele Road, where the General Overseer, Pastor Charles Osazuwa, predicted a peaceful 2027 general election and urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as prophecies of doom about the country.

Osazuwa said elections would come and go without threatening Nigeria’s unity, while urging Christians to acquire productive skills and contribute to the economy.

He also challenged governments to invest more in human capital, recalling scholarships he benefited from during the administrations of Obafemi Awolowo and Ambrose Alli as examples of how investment in education could transform lives.

Meanwhile, Okpebholo said the procurement process for the construction of roads, including what he referred to as “Mechanics and Peanut roads,” was nearing completion and that work would commence soon.

He said contractors would be expected to work through the rainy season to accelerate completion.

The governor also urged residents to pray for President Bola Tinubu, saying the removal of fuel subsidy had freed resources that were contributing to improved road infrastructure across the count (The Sun)