The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has summoned native doctors, traditional priests and priestesses to his palace over rising insecurity in Edo State.
The move follows Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat to sign execution warrants for kidnappers and others convicted of capital offences.
The monarch has directed the traditionalists to report at the Oba’s Palace on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for an urgent meeting to complement government efforts against crime.
The meeting is aimed at exploring traditional means to complement government efforts in tackling insecurity in the state, a statement said.
In a related development, the Benin Traditional Council will on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, host youth leaders, known as Okaighele, at the same time and venue, according to another statement from the palace authority.
The development signalled involvement of the palace as traditional institutions moved to support security agencies amid rising kidnapping and cult-related violence in the state.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo had threatened to sign execution warrants for those convicted of involvement in kidnappings and other violent crimes that carry death sentence in the state.
He said this on Thursday during a parade of kidnapping suspects at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, where he also rewarded officers who arrested a suspect linked to recent kidnapping at the vegetable market.
“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists and within two weeks, the court will be done with proceedings and I will sign the execution warrant.
“We will take you to Ring Road roundabout so that Edo people can watch. I will have no regret about it. Don’t take my simplicity for granted.
“The hoodlums will never find peace in Edo. The message to all criminals is that they will not go free after committing crime in this state.
“You will be arrested. We are ready for you and your sponsors. We are working day and night to make sure this land is safe,” he said.
