According to a report by the Punch on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the violent protest that erupted in Ekpoma, Edo State, has been attributed to a profound breakdown in public security and a failure of timely government response. The community’s peaceful demonstration against relentless kidnappings spiraled into chaos, revealing deep-seated frustrations over perceived official inaction.
Residents report that kidnappings evolved from isolated incidents to a daily terror within the town itself. The final trigger was the killing of a young man during an abduction attempt on January 9, which ignited public outrage and led to a protest the following day.
A local academic and community figure, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, highlighted the technological and tactical gap between the criminals and the authorities. He argued for a more sophisticated government approach, noting, “These kidnappers seem to be smarter than us, so the government must scale up and be able to respond when there is a cry.” He emphasized that reactive deployments after a crisis are insufficient and that proactive, intelligence-led strategies are essential.
The protest was subsequently hijacked, leading to attacks on infrastructure, including a police station. This forced the state government into a major reactive operation, with Governor Monday Okpebholo overseeing a significant security deployment involving soldiers and aerial assets to restore order.
While condemning the violence, community members universally point to the government’s earlier failure to address the kidnapping epidemic as the root cause. They are calling for a permanent security upgrade that leverages technology, involves local intelligence networks, and ensures swift responses to distress calls, hoping the recent turmoil will finally spur a lasting and effective solution.
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