Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said Sunday that Nigeria does not belong to kidnappers and other criminal elements [1].

The statement comes as the region continues to struggle with violent crime and instability. By framing the security crisis as a battle for national ownership, the governor is attempting to rally public and spiritual support to reclaim stability from non-state actors.

Okpebholo made the remarks during a visit to LoveWorld City, also known as Christ Embassy, in Benin City [2]. He said that the country must not surrender to those who use violence for personal or political gain [3].

"This country does not belong to kidnappers," Okpebholo said. "No individual or group should hold the nation captive for personal or political interests" [3].

Beyond the immediate security concerns, the governor urged the community to engage in collective prayer. He said these prayers should focus on both the restoration of national security and the recovery of the economy [1].

Security challenges in Edo State have historically involved high-stakes abductions. In one previous instance, kidnappers abducted 10 passengers in the state and demanded a ransom of ₦20 million [4]. Such incidents highlight the persistent threat that criminal elements pose to commuters and residents, a reality Okpebholo said must be overcome.

The governor's visit to the religious center underscores a strategy of blending governance with spiritual appeal to address the psychological and physical toll of insecurity [2]. He said that the nation's resilience depends on refusing to let criminals dictate the terms of public life [3].

“"This country does not belong to kidnappers."”

Governor Okpebholo's rhetoric reflects a broader struggle within Nigeria to maintain state authority over territories where kidnappers and gangs operate. By linking security to economic recovery and spiritual intervention, the administration is acknowledging that law enforcement alone may be insufficient to deter organized crime without a corresponding shift in national morale and public cooperation.