State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, said on Friday that he would sign the death warrants of four convicts in the Vegetable Market kidnapping case if they failed to appeal their sentences within the stipulated 30 days.
According to a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor spoke during a fellowship at God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry.
While reviewing his administration’s efforts to curb kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in Edo State, the governor said insecurity was one of the biggest challenges he faced when he assumed office.
He added that he discussed the state of the roads and the security situation with President Bola Tinubu during a meeting.
Okpebholo said that when gunmen struck at the Vegetable Market, he called the President, who asked if he could handle the situation. The governor said he responded in the affirmative.
He said he subsequently prayed for the kidnappers to be arrested within 24 hours before calling the Commissioner of Police to demand their arrest.
“I told him I wanted these guys arrested because I already have an approval from God, and they were caught within that time,” he said.
Okpebholo said the suspects had since been sentenced to death, adding that he hoped they would not appeal the judgment.
“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,” he said.
An Edo State Special Criminal Court on September 29, 2026, sentenced four suspects to death for abducting a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The governor said that before beginning his campaign against kidnapping and cultism, he met prominent traditional rulers across the state and warned them against intervening on behalf of anyone involved in the crimes.
He recalled strange incidents he attributed to spiritual forces after his administration demolished a building allegedly associated with 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.
The founder of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Apostle Ehijele Umuahia, urged church members to vote for the governor and his preferred candidates in the 2027 elections.
Citing Proverbs 29:2, he told the congregation that praying for the governor should go hand in hand with active participation in the electoral process. He urged Christians to turn out in large numbers to vote.
Umuahia described Okpebholo as a humble man whose commitment to God predated his emergence as governor. He said he had known the governor for more than 15 years, dating back to the time of the late Chief Tony Anenih.
“Whenever Chief Tony Anenih came to visit me, he was one of those who accompanied him. That was how we came to know each other,” he said.
He added that Okpebholo had maintained his devotion to God despite his demanding schedule before becoming governor.