Protesting Youths Block Highway Over Kidnappings, Poor Infrastructure in Edo

Hundreds of youths in Edo State took to the streets on Wednesday, blocking the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Road to protest the deteriorating state of the road, which they blame for the rising rates of kidnappings and the overall poor infrastructure in the region.

The protesters expressed frustration over the frequent abductions in the area, which they attributed to the bad roads and lack of adequate infrastructure. They also criticized political office holders from the area for their apparent indifference to the suffering of the people.

The protest caused severe traffic gridlocks, with travelers, including heavy-duty vehicles, being stranded for several hours as the youths refused to allow any vehicles to pass.

One of the primary grievances raised was the kidnapping of Okasime Olowojoba, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), who had been held captive for almost a month. Despite his family reportedly paying over N5 million as ransom, he had still not been released.

Paul Lawani, one of the protest leaders, expressed the community’s deep dissatisfaction, saying: “We cannot continue to be slaves in our country. The government should come and tell us what they are doing.”

He further lamented the neglect of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, stating, “Akoko-Edo has three General Hospitals, but none is functioning well. The colonial government knew the large size of Akoko-Edo, which is why they sited three General Hospitals. Today, Akoko-Edo is ripe for a military base, yet we have these bases in areas that may not necessarily need them.”

Lawani also demanded that the state government take immediate action to address the road conditions and the spate of kidnappings in the area, saying, “One of our brothers has been with the kidnappers for almost one month. They have collected money in millions and are yet to release him.”

The protesters also accused the security agents in the area of failing to do their job, vowing to continue their protest until the state government intervened.

The situation was defused after the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adehce Saiki, intervened. The traditional ruler sent emissaries to meet with the protesters and assured them that he had written to the state government regarding the poor state of the road and the alarming rise in kidnappings.

Following the intervention of the Oba, the protesters finally opened the road, allowing traffic to resume.