Security: Okpebholo Nods Growing Public Concerns, Warn Protesters Against Destabilizing the State

By Reporter

Governor Okpebholo of Edo State has warned against attempts by “unscrupulous individuals or groups to exploit public sentiments to destabilize the peace and security of the state.”

Okpebholo issued the warning while addressing growing public concerns over security across the state. He reminded the protesters that his administration has made “massive investments in modern security apparatus, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration to confront criminal elements head-on.”

The Governor declared that his “decisive measures are already yielding results in the fight against kidnapping, cultism, and other activities.”

On the protest against incessant kidnappings and criminal activities in Edo State, Okpebholo reiterated his government’s respect for the “constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest,” but warned against what he calls “attempts by unscrupulous individuals or groups to exploit public sentiments to destabilize the peace and security of the state.”

He added that, his administration “will not allow criminals or their sponsors to take Edo State hostage. Anyone involved in kidnapping, cultism, or any form of criminality will be tracked down and brought to justice. There will be no hiding place for perpetrators.”

Residents of Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Monday staged a peaceful protest to condemn the rising wave of insecurity in the town and surrounding communities.

The demonstrators, made up of youths, market women, students, transport workers and community leaders, marched through major streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We Need Security, Not Sympathy,” “Stop Kidnapping Now,” and “Government Must Act.”

The protesters said they were alarmed by increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related violence which, according to them, had disrupted social and economic life in the university town.

Some business owners claimed they now close earlier than usual, while parents expressed fear over the safety of their children, particularly students of Ambrose Alli University and pupils in surrounding schools.

At various points during the march, the protesters stopped to address security operatives and local officials, calling for more patrols, better lighting of major roads, and swift deployment of security personnel to identified flashpoints. They also urged traditional rulers and community associations to support intelligence gathering and expose criminal hideouts.

One of the youth leaders who spoke during the protest said the action was not political but “a cry for survival,” stressing that residents could “no longer sleep with two eyes closed.” A representative of market women added that frequent attacks on traders travelling to and from markets had made business unsafe and costly.

All through the protest, security agents monitored the protesters, which remained largely peaceful, except areas where campaign billboards were damaged. Community leaders appealed to the demonstrators to continue to express their grievances without violence, while urging government authorities at the local and state levels to treat the situation as urgent.

The protesters submitted written petition calling on the Edo State Government, security agencies and elected political representatives to take concrete steps toward restoring peace, including resuscitating neighborhood watch systems and improving response time to distress calls.