12/01/2026
*Kidnapping and Protest in Edo State (Ekpoma)*
Protection of lives and property is the constitutional right of the citizens and the constitutional duty of the government of a state to provide for its citizens. And when citizens feel the government has failed to do such, the citizens are bound to seek all means to draw the attention of the government to such setbacks and protest is one of the legitimate and constitutionally recognized means to do such. But when a protest turns into a riot, then it is not supported by the constitution of the country (state). The recent kidnapping activity in the Edo Central Senatorial District (Ekpoma) is totally under emergency attention by the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholor. You will recall that the governor, in his commitment to security and securing the lives and property in Edo State, recently bought over 80 Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles, over 400 motorcycle and other security gadgets for security agencies in Edo State. These vigilantes were also recently trained and admitted as civil servants into the Edo State civil service. You will understand that for months there had not been serious kidnapping activity because of the governor's marching orders to the security agencies in Edo State to carry out intelligence surveillance and forest safeguarding, which led to a drastic decline in kidnapping activity in the state. The recent activity in Edo Central Senatorial District, Ekpoma, to be precise, is just a challenge that will definitely get the maximum attention from the security agencies, and peace will definitely return to the areas affected. The recent protest turned riot by students and hoodlums was extreme, which is totally wrong in the sense that two wrongs don't make a right. That we are trying to solve a particular situation or problem should not result in another, e.g., loss of life, properties (the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma that was attacked by hoodlums), delay in the resumption of academic activities, closure of markets, and restrictions of movement. We know that it is the responsibility of the government to defend the people, but the people must cooperate with the government in doing so by not taking the law into their own hands. However, we are appealing to the governor of the state, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to please temper justice with mercy as regards the students who were arrested. "When a father deals with a child, after he draws him closer with the other hand. The mother must not throw away the baby with the bathwater no matter how badly behaved." Edo State is one of the fastest developing states in the South-South region of the country, and we must all put our hands together in supporting the governor and his administration to fight the evil ones and in doing so, we should protect our achievements already made. Let's build the state together and not destroy it. To the security agencies in Edo State, we must, as a matter of emergency, attend to the recent kidnapping activity in Edo Central Senatorial District, Ekpoma, to bring back peace for the people, especially the farmers and businesses. Edo State must be seen on the bright agenda of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholor.
Signed:
Concerned Edo Patriots
