Edo Government Defends Motorcycle Ban in Benin, Cites Rising Security Concerns

...70 cases of child defilement  recorded in Edo- Abdallah

By Chris Akhabue, Edo

The Edo State Government has defended its restriction on motorcycle operations in the Benin metropolis, saying the measure was introduced primarily to address growing security concerns and protect residents.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Benin City.

Afegbua explained that intelligence and security reports received by the government had raised concerns over the use of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, in criminal activities, including kidnapping and robbery.

According to him, some criminal elements allegedly use motorcycles to pick up unsuspecting passengers before taking them to isolated locations, where they dispossess them of their valuables.

“We are not pretending about it. The reason why this was done was purely for security reasons. The kind of reports we receive daily has become a security concern to us,” Afegbua said.

He added that the government would continue to prioritise the safety of residents in making decisions concerning transportation and public security.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed that more than 70 cases of child defilement were recorded in Edo State between January and July 2026.

She said fathers of the victims were allegedly responsible for more than half of the reported cases, with the victims predominantly children between the ages of two and 10.

Abdallah disclosed that one of the victims currently under the state's care is a 14-year-old girl who is eight months pregnant after allegedly being sexually abused by her father.

She said the case was brought to the attention of the ministry by a neighbour.

According to the commissioner, the girl initially claimed that her father was dead and pleaded with authorities not to arrest him, despite being the only person capable of providing information about his whereabouts.

Abdallah reaffirmed the state government's commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that survivors of abuse receive appropriate support.

She said the government would continue to strengthen social-protection initiatives, empower women economically and ensure that interventions for vulnerable groups produce measurable results.

She said the interventions carried out under the SHINE Agenda of the Okpebholo administration, had strengthened the protection, empowerment and welfare of women, children and vulnerable persons across the state.

According to her, the ministry’s key interventions focused on women’s economic empowerment, child protection, response to sexual and gender-based violence, mental-health rehabilitation, social protection, policy reforms and strategic partnerships.

One of the major milestones of the Ministry she said, was the successful hosting of the 25th National Council on Women Affairs and Child Development in Benin City, which brought stakeholders from across the country together to deliberate on issues affecting women, children and vulnerable groups.

On the fight against gender-based violence, Abdallah said the ministry had strengthened survivor-centred services through the commissioning and operation of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Uromi, while efforts were ongoing to establish another centre in Auchi.