Residents of Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, trooped out on Monday to protest against what they described as daily killings and kidnappings allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen in their communities.
Naijaonpoint understands that the protest grounded commercial activities in the communities as the youths asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to act swiftly.
The protesters, who stormed major roads and government offices, carried placards with inscriptions like #EndKidnappingInAgenebode, #EtsakoEastUnderSiege, and #WhereIsOurGovernor, calling on the state leader and federal lawmakers to urgently intervene to halt what they termed an “ongoing ethnic cleansing.”
Shops, stalls, and businesses were shut down as residents joined the youth in a show of solidarity.
Some of the placards targeted top political figures from the area, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Minister Abubakar Momoh, and Hon. Sunday Dekere Anamero, accusing them of turning a blind eye while their people suffer.
“Oshiomhole, you’re busy in Port Harcourt with NDDC while your people are dying in Etsako East!” one placard read.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the protest, which began in the early hours of Monday, saw peaceful processions through Agenebode Market Road, Bode Ivioghe Road, and the Local Government Secretariat. Protesters sang, chanted, and demanded immediate government intervention to restore security.
In an unusual turn, local government workers were forced to vacate their offices at the Secretariat and join the demonstration, citing fears of being the next victims.
“We can no longer go to work with peace of mind. The fear of being kidnapped is real,” one council staff member told reporters.
Protesters also called for the construction of a new police station, a permanent military checkpoint along the Fugar-Agenebode axis, and the empowerment of local vigilante groups to take control of security in the area.
See a video clip from the scene of the protest below.
Youths Demand Forest Guards, Vigilante Support
The protesters urged Governor Okpebholo to revive and fund local forest guard operations like those initiated by suspended LG Chairman, Hon. (Princess) Benedicta Attoh, who had reportedly partnered with traditional leaders to pay youths to patrol the forests on shift duty.
“Our people are fleeing their homes. What is happening in Benue must not be allowed to happen in Agenebode,” warned Comrade Abdul Ayegbeni, who spoke on behalf of the protesting youth.
Ayegbeni also criticised federal and state lawmakers representing Etsako East, accusing them of being detached from the grassroots realities.
He demanded that Senator Oshiomhole, Minister Momoh, Hon. Kingsley Ugabi, and Rep. Sunday Dekere convene an emergency security summit involving all local vigilante groups and traditional institutions to strategise and provide logistics support for grassroots defence.
“We are tired of the silence. We want security, not promises. Our communities are becoming ghost towns,” Ayegbeni added.
Naijaonpoint understands that the state government is yet to release any official statement regarding the events as of the time of filing this report.