Tinubu with Okpebholo billboard pulled down, animals slaughtered
AAU postpones resumption
Council boss orders restriction of motorcycles, tricycle movement beyond 7p.m.
Protest by angry youths at Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State erupted on Saturday morning against rising violent crimes, including fatal abductions that have crippled economic activities in the locality.
Protesters dismantled government-sponsored Tinubu political billboards of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of 2027, were pulled down, as kidnappings, killings heightens in Edo, amidst deafening silence by concerned authorities.
TheNewspad reports that frustrations and anger began to spread Ihumudumu quarters in Ekpoma in Esan West following the discovery of the lifeless body of
a resident, Harrison Gwamnishu who was abducted by gunmen.
The development followed a peaceful protest by medical doctors over the killings of their colleagues in Edo North Senatorial District of the State by unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
Responding to the protest at Ekpoma, a Benin-based Lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren in a post on Facebook, wrote: “Reports of insecurity and violent crimes in Ekpoma is gravely concerning, but why must innocent goats be punished? Wetin concern goats inside?”.
Protesters in black attire, marched on the highway, heckle some military personnel who made fruitless attempt to appeal to them stop the peaceful protest around Ambrose Alli University Community and its environs.
Traders and businesses owners in the area, shut down their businesses during the protest as youths staged bonfire on the road, while travellers including heavy duty vehicles playing the road, parked their trucks on the roadside while others road users were stranded for hours.
Youths who refused to bulge despite the presence of heavy security, sang dirges for the repose of the souls of the death of their loved ones, while parading mock coffin during the protest.
A security agent while addressing the concerns raised by the youths, said in the now trending video that the sudden security threats was prompted by the security clearance of criminal hideouts in parts of Edo North Senatorial District, forced the fleeing criminals to relocate to some parts of Esanland.
Livestock belonging in custody of some migrant workers at the popular ‘Kara market were chased away by some angry protester who also slaughtered their animals for breakfast.
Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma, assuring that kidnappers would be chased away soonest.
Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Edo State Command, SP Eno Ikoedem, dismissed claims of police indifferent to security situation in Ekpoma.
She revealed that Edo Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.
Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside with local hunters.
“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located 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. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State, according to her.
Worried by the agitations by residents of the host Community, the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. (Mrs) Eunice Eboiserehimen Omonzejie through a statement by the spokesman of the institution, Otunba Mike Aladenika indefinitely.
“This decision has become necessary to enable the University to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience”, according to the University.
The school also announced the postponement of its planned140th Inaugural Lecture series, formerly scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations.
The statement further urge Parents and guardians to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.
In the meantime, the Acting Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area Ekpoma, Albert Ebhodaghe, has prohibited all commercial and private motorcycles (commonly referred to as Okada) and tricycle operators known as Keke riders from movement and operation within Esan West LGA from 7:00 PM daily, effective immediately.
This directive, according a statement he personally signed, is issued in the interest of public safety, security, and the maintenance of law and order within the Local Government Area.
“All motorcycle riders and the general public are urged to adhere strictly to this order, as security agencies have been instructed to enforce it, and violators will face appropriate sanctions”, he said.
