𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗘𝗱𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has convened an emergency meeting with native doctors, traditional priests, priestesses, and other spiritual stakeholders in response to the worsening security situation in Edo State.

The royal intervention comes amid rising incidents of kidnapping, cult-related violence, and other security threats across the state, prompting renewed collaboration between traditional institutions and government security structures.

According to a statement from the Benin Traditional Council, the urgent meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City. The palace emphasized that the gathering will focus on identifying traditional and spiritual mechanisms that could complement state and federal security operations.

The council also confirmed a follow-up engagement with youth leaders, known as Okaighele, scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same venue, as part of broader consultations aimed at strengthening community-level security responses.

The development follows heightened tension in the state, alongside strong remarks from Edo State Governor , who has pledged tougher measures against violent crime, including the proposed establishment of a special court for the expedited prosecution of kidnappers and cultists.

The governor had also stated that he would authorize execution warrants for individuals convicted of capital offences related to kidnapping, stressing that criminal networks would face decisive state action. He further urged residents to avoid criminal activity, insisting that the government is intensifying efforts to restore safety and order.

The parallel actions by both the traditional institution and the state government underscore growing concern over insecurity in Edo State, as authorities seek multi-layered strategies combining legal enforcement, community engagement, and traditional authority structures to curb violence.