Breaking News: Traditional Ruler Suspended, Secretary Arrested Over Insecurity 

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a bold move to combat rising insecurity, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, following a wave of kidnappings and killings plaguing Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area.

The dramatic announcement, made public on Tuesday, signals the state’s zero-tolerance stance on lawlessness under traditional leadership.

The suspension comes on the heels of a chilling incident that saw the murder of Palace Chief John Ikhamate, with the monarch’s secretary, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, now in custody as a key suspect.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, revealed the decision in a statement from Benin, describing the situation in Uwano Kingdom as “deeply troubling” and underscoring the government’s resolve to restore order.

The state government will not sit idly by while insecurity festers

Governor Okpebholo’s administration has pointed to the spike in violent crimes—kidnappings and assassinations that have terrorized residents—as the catalyst for this unprecedented action. “The state government will not sit idly by while insecurity festers,” Itua declared, emphasizing that traditional rulers must play a pivotal role in maintaining peace and accountability within their domains.

The suspension is part of a broader crackdown aimed at reinforcing stability across Edo State, with the government signaling that traditional institutions are not above scrutiny. While Dr. Egabor’s fate remains uncertain, the move has sparked mixed reactions—some hail it as a necessary purge of complicity, while others question its implications for cultural authority.

As investigations continue and security forces tighten their grip on Agenebode, all eyes are on Governor Okpebholo to deliver on his promise of a safer Edo. For now, the Uwano Kingdom stands at a crossroads, its royal seat vacant amid a storm of violence and retribution.