Edo’s Unending Battle With Kidnapping, Cultism

Tension is precocious among residents and travelers crossed Edo State arsenic kidnappers look to person laid siege connected the authorities amid government’s efforts to curb the menace.

Edo, similar different states successful the country, is grappling with rising incidents of kidnapping, cultism and slayer herdsmen who proceed to terrorise parts of the state.

Visitors and travelers done the authorities present bash truthful with fearfulness pursuing caller reports of hoodlums abducting passengers successful wide daylight into forests earlier calling their families and loved ones to request ransom.

On September 5, a afloat loaded autobus of the state-owned transport institution was attacked on the Benin-Akure road.

The 18 passengers were taken astatine gunpoint into a heavy forest. A fewer days after, reports said six of the victims were released aft their families paid a staggering N60 cardinal ransom.

It was learned that the ransom was picked up astatine a fashionable commercialized slope located on Akpakpava Road successful Benin City. The authorities constabulary bid confirmed that the six victims were held hostage until their families delivered the ransom.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, the victims, Sandra Omoregie, Ruth Igbinovia, Glory Ehizokhake, Kingsley Obasohan, Samu Uwagboe, and Grace Okaighe said the ransom was collected by a antheral identified arsenic Mr. Abu, who acted arsenic the gang’s constituent antheral and maintained nonstop connection with their families passim the negotiations.

Kingsley Obasohan lashed retired astatine information agencies, particularly the police.

He said, “It’s unfortunate that Nigeria has descended into an abyss of nary instrumentality with the information agencies, peculiarly the Nigeria Police Force’s full nonaccomplishment to rescue and prevention citizens.

“I’m shocked that astatine this clip and age, kidnappers are moving freely successful our forests and adjacent successful Benin City successful wide daylight, making ransom calls and moving astir with registered car sheet numbers, portion the constabulary are lone contented with harassing yahoo boys connected the streets.”

Two days earlier the kidnap, 8 operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were ambushed and killed by suspected kidnappers astatine Okpella, besides successful Edo State.

The onslaught besides near 4 different operatives critically injured; portion 1 Chinese nationalist was rescued unhurt. Also successful March this year, immoderate Catholic seminarians and Rev. Father Andrew Peter were abducted portion Father Philip Ekweli was murdered by abductors.

Shortly aft the abduction, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Dunja, cried to the authorities and national governments arsenic good arsenic information agencies to assistance halt the deteriorating information concern successful Edo North and different parts of the state.

“People are nary longer harmless connected the roads, connected their farms and adjacent successful their homes. This is unacceptable erstwhile determination are elected officials whose work it is to support the people,” helium said.

As Governor Monday Okpebholo’s authorities braces up to the challenges of insecurity and cult-related killings, particularly successful the metropolitan City of Benin, rival confraternity cult groups engaged successful a bloody conflicts which person claimed implicit 100 lives successful the past fewer months.

The confraternity warfare besides dispersed to parts of Edo communities hitherto grappling with communal crises occasioned by onshore grabbing and cult-related violence. Affected communities similar Oghede, Ogheghe, Obagie, among others, witnessed wanton killings and arson, further compounding insecurity successful the state.

Okpebholo Tightens The Noose

When Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed work arsenic politician successful November 2024, the authorities faced escalating insecurity, ranging from kidnapping and cult-related unit to equipped robbery and amerciable onshore grabbing. Kidnapping and attacks connected farmers successful respective parts of the authorities led galore farmers to wantonness their farmlands.

Tackling the menace, the medication launched an array of proactive measures, portion of which was  upgraded information infrastructure, including procuring Hilux vehicles, motorcycles and connection gadgets to amended surveillance and accelerated effect successful distant areas.

Okpebholo said, “We promised our radical during the run that we would combat insecurity and reconstruct bid to each portion of Edo State. Today, we are fulfilling that promise. These bikes volition beryllium deployed crossed the senatorial districts and volition assistance information agencies scope areas wherever vehicles cannot go. Let maine beryllium clear, criminals indispensable permission Edo State.”

To besides stiffen the consequences of transgression and with ineligible model and enforcement, the authorities has enacted caller pugnacious laws.

In June, it passed a landmark authorities including the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025 and amended the Kidnapping Prohibition Law.

Government besides rejuvenated the Edo State Security Corps with boosted operationa...