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Local government

Hundreds of Youths Protest Over Dilapidated Road and High Rate of Kidnappings in Edo State

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

undreds of youths in Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo, Edo State, staged a protest on Wednesday over the poor state of the road, which has led to a surge in kidnappings and lack of adequate infrastructure in the area. The protesting youths blocked the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo road, causing a gridlock that lasted for several hours. They criticized the local government chairman and the state government for not doing enough to address the issues of kidnapping and poor infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The protest was sparked by the dilapidated state of the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo road, which has led to a high rate of kidnapping and poor infrastructure in the area.
  • The protesting youths accused the local government chairman of not being sensitive to the plight of the people and of prioritizing the re-election of a certain politician in 2027 over addressing the issues of kidnapping and poor infrastructure.
  • One of the protesters, Paul Lawani, lamented the kidnapping of a chieftain of the Labour Party, Okasime Olowojoba, who has been in captivity for almost a month despite the kidnappers collecting over ₦5 million from the family and friends.
  • The protesters also accused security agents of not taking their job seriously and vowed to continue the protest until the state government attends to their demands.
  • The Otaru of Igarra, HRH Oba Adehce Saiki, intervened in the protest by sending emissaries to open the road and promising to write to the state government about the poor state of the road and the level of kidnappings.

Statistics:

  • Over ₦5 million has been collected by kidnappers from the family and friends of a chieftain of the Labour Party, Okasime Olowojoba.
  • The kidnapping has been ongoing for almost a month.
  • Three general hospitals are located in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, but none of them is functioning well.
  • The local government chairman has been accused of prioritizing the re-election of a certain politician in 2027 over addressing the issues of kidnapping and poor infrastructure.

Sources:

  • [Source 1: The Guardian Nigeria, original source not provided]
  • [Source 2: unnamed report, original source not provided]

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