Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has established the Ministry of Public Security and Safety to address rising insecurity. Chief Festus Odianosen Ebea was appointed as its pioneer commissioner. This initiative aims to introduce structured and technology-driven security measures in the state.
Nigeria's security challenges have prompted states to take initiative amid federal limitations. In Edo State, a hotspot for kidnappers, herders, and armed robbers, a recent hijacking of a state-owned transport bus en route to Abuja resulted in loss of lives and trauma for survivors, highlighting the urgency for reform.
Governor Monday Okpebholo responded decisively by creating the Ministry of Public Security and Safety. He appointed Chief Festus Odianosen Ebea, described as a seasoned leader, as the pioneer commissioner. This move signals a shift toward institutionalised and technology-driven security management.
The United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), under Section 6, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), under Section 4, affirm the right to life. Section 33 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution similarly protects this right, limiting deprivation to lawful execution. These obligations underscore government responsibility to safeguard lives.
While sub-sovereign outfits like Amotekun and OPC in the South-West, and Bakassi Boys in the East, along with community vigilante groups of ex-servicemen and volunteers, have filled gaps, they face issues of abuse, corruption, and high-handedness—sometimes called “creating a self-destruct monster.”
To enhance the new ministry, recommendations include a Public–Private Partnership model via a Security Trust Fund to ease financial burdens and boost accountability. Digital integration, such as surveillance systems and real-time monitoring, would improve awareness. Formalising and training vigilante groups on intelligence, crisis response, and human rights would ensure professionalism.
This reform positions Edo State as a model for sustainable security, fostering economic prosperity and stability. Adolphus Aletor, Managing Director of Core Trust and Investment Limited, praises it as a beacon of hope.