Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has handed over 300 motorbikes to security agencies in the state.
 Okpebholo said the motorbikes are specifically designed to support security agencies in accessing hard-to-reach terrains, particularly forest areas where criminal elements often seek refuge.
This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua.
While distributing the motorbikes to security agencies in the three senatorial districts of the state, the governor reiterated that criminals would have no hiding place in Edo State.
The handover, which took place at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday, attracted top security and government stakeholders, including the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika; Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Audu, among others.
The governor said, “We promised our people during the campaign that we would fight insecurity and restore peace to every part of Edo State. Today (Tuesday), we are fulfilling that promise. These bikes will be deployed across the senatorial districts and will help security agencies reach areas where vehicles cannot go.
“Let me be clear, criminals must leave Edo State. These motorbikes, along with other security technologies we are deploying, will make it very difficult for them to operate. We are not just equipping the system. We are maintaining it. These bikes will be properly serviced and supported to ensure continuous use.”
Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, hailed the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security efforts, especially in tackling forest-based crimes like kidnapping.
Agbonika said, “This is a great day in our fight against crime. With these motorbikes, we can now go deep into the forests where criminals hide. The days of impunity are over.”
He called on residents across the state to support security agencies by sharing credible information to aid crime prevention and investigation.
Meanwhile, the governor faulted the practice of the immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, which he said spent over N50m monthly to rent caterpillars for waste management in the state.
Okpebholo disclosed this on Tuesday while inaugurating a set of new equipment acquired for the Edo State Waste Management Board.
The items include bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor described the new purchase as a more sustainable and cost-effective approach compared to the previous arrangement.
He said, “The previous administration spent over N50m monthly to rent caterpillars for waste management. That is not sustainable. These machines were not rented; they were purchased with Edo people’s money for Edo people’s use.”
The governor added that his administration would prioritise long-term investments that deliver value to the people, rather than ventures that enrich consultants and contractors.
Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Lucky Enehita-Inegbeneh, commended the governor for the initiative, noting that the equipment would significantly enhance the board’s capacity to keep the state clean.
“With these new machines, we now have the capacity and capability to clean Edo more effectively. This is a sign that the governor truly cares about the welfare of the people,” he said.
