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The National President of the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO), Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny, has challenged governors of 35 states to replicate Edo State’s security strategy, which he credited to Governor Monday Okpebholo with significantly strengthening the state’s fight against kidnapping, cultism, cybercrime and other violent crimes.
Johnny made the call at the 4th edition of the Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026, held on October 2 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.
He passed a vote of confidence in Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, naming him the “Best CSOs Governor of the Year” for what he described as his decisive approach to combating insecurity and enforcing laws against criminality.
Johnny commended the governor’s efforts against cultism, kidnapping, cybercrime and other violent crimes, citing the establishment of special courts for speedy trials, enforcement of anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping laws, and the demolition of properties allegedly linked to criminals.
He also praised the reorganisation of the Edo State security architecture, including the strengthening of the Edo State Security Corps, recruitment and training of forest guards, and empowerment of community vigilante groups to secure forests and other ungoverned spaces.
According to him, the administration’s engagement with traditional rulers, youth groups and community leaders across Edo’s three senatorial districts has further strengthened community-driven security.
Johnny, however, appealed to Governor Okpebholo to consolidate the gains by signing execution warrants for persons lawfully sentenced to death for heinous crimes, including kidnapping and cult-related killings.
He also called for the establishment of Crime Deterrence and Reorientation Centres in each of the three senatorial districts to educate young people on the consequences of criminality.
“If every governor shows the same sincerity and determination that Senator Monday Okpebholo has shown, where every life is considered sacred and must be protected, criminality will have no hiding place in Nigeria,” Johnny said.
He assured that CSOs under his leadership would continue to support the Edo State Government and security agencies in their efforts to eliminate criminality, while urging Nigerians to shun crime and support initiatives aimed at building a safer society.
