According to a report by the Punch on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the recent violent protest in Ekpoma, Edo State, has exposed the severe and brutal reality of the kidnapping crisis plaguing the community. The unrest, which escalated from a peaceful demonstration, was fueled by residents’ desperation after enduring months of escalating abductions and terror.
Community members describe a horrific pattern of violence that extended beyond ransom demands. One resident, John Obale, detailed the terrifying atrocities faced by victims, stating, “Women were being raped in bushes in the presence of their husbands, while others were killed.” This grim account underscores the extreme brutality that had become commonplace, eroding any sense of safety.
The protest was catalyzed by the fatal shooting of a young man during a kidnapping attempt on January 9. His death the following day mobilized a community that felt utterly abandoned by the authorities, leading to a demonstration that was later hijacked by elements who engaged in vandalism and looting.
In response to the chaos, Governor Monday Okpebholo and top security officials deployed to Ekpoma, implementing a major security surge including soldiers and aerial surveillance to reclaim order.
While condemning the destruction, residents insist the protest was a cry for help against intolerable conditions. They argue that if the government had acted decisively against the kidnappers earlier, the crisis could have been averted. The community now calls for a sustainable, technology-backed security strategy that involves local leaders and addresses the root causes of the insecurity, hoping the government’s current focus will translate into lasting safety.
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