Angry youths in Ekpoma, Edo Central, on Sunday chased out Hausa traders at the local livestock market and killing several goats belonging to them, following protests over the rapid and continuous kidnapping and killing in the area.
The unrest began on Saturday after residents demonstrated against the death of a youth allegedly killed by suspected kidnappers. By Sunday morning, videos circulating online showed groups of youths storming the livestock market, killing goats which forced traders to flee.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, condemned the violence and urged residents to remain calm to prevent retaliatory attacks elsewhere. He disclosed that the Governor Monday Okpebholo was already in Ekpoma to appeal for peace, describing the incident as a senseless and spontaneous mob action.
“This is very untoward. Incidentally, some of our people are the owners of these cows. We can only appeal for calm to avoid reprisal attacks elsewhere. This is a mob action, often spontaneous and senseless. The Governor has gone to the area to appeal for calm. An eye for an eye is not the best approach,” Afegbua said.
Kidnapping has become a serious concern for the residents in the area, forcing farmers to abandon their farms and leaving in constant fear.
The protest disrupted commercial activities in Ekpoma, with reports that campaign billboards ahead of the 2027 general elections were also pulled down and burnt.
Meanwhile, the Principal Security Officer to the Governor, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured residents on Saturday that adequate security would be deployed to the town, pledging that kidnappers would be driven out. “I can assure that adequate security will be provided in Ekpoma and kidnappers will be chased away,” he said.
Also speaking on the situation, Edo State Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the police were actively responding to the security challenges, furhter revealing that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already on ground in Ekpoma and that nine people were rescued during a recent operation.
According to her, the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to scan the forest alongside local hunters, leading to the discovery of a kidnappers’ camp through real-time aerial intelligence. “The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles. The victims, including five children, were rescued unhurt,” she said.
She further added that the operation shows the growing role of technology in modern policing and marked a significant boost to security efforts in Edo State
