Vehicular and human movement was at a standstill for several hours as students in Ekpoma in Esan West local government area of Edo State trooped out in large numbers to protest the incessant kidnapping, ravaging the community and its environs daily.
The protesters, who are mainly youths, called on the state government and other relevant authorities to rescue the community from what they described as evasion.
The protesters, dressed virtually in black, gathered at the market square of Ekpoma, blocking all entrances to the main town, forcing all vehicular movements to a standstill.
Matching round major roads of Ekpoma with a casket on display, in solidarity with a young man who was kidnapped and killed in the community on the night of Friday and subsequently killed a few hours later, they call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to rescue them from the hands of kidnappers who do not skip a day without kidnapping people in the community.
However, there was a twist to the protest as some Natives of Ekpoma in Esan West local government area have condemned the destruction of property by the protesters while protesting against incessant kidnapping and the recent killing of a student who was abducted and later killed.
The protest, which was said to have degenerated into the main town, as the palace of the Onogie His Royal Highness Anthony Abumere was not spared, as it was badly vandalised.
Some occupants of the palace who ran for their lives on seeing the protesters said their frightening look was uncompromising as they saw them invading the palace while running for safety, saying it would have been worse if not for the timely intervention of the Anti cult security personnel.
The wife of Onogie of Ekpoma was not fortunate, as she was said to have been assaulted by the protesters while they destroyed property worth millions of Naira.
The Onogie of Ekpoma, who was not present at the palace during the incident, expressed deep sorrow and lamented the extent of the damage done to the palace and his family’s properties.
The Onogie said he had earlier addressed the protesters before he left the palace, only to be called back that the protesters had returned to invade his place.
“I expressed deep sorrow to the extent of the damage done to the palace and my family’s properties.
“I earlier addressed this group of protesters when they peacefully arrived at the palace, and I didn’t know they were going to come back in such a violent manner to the extent of assaulting my wife, which is very sad”
The Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Blessing Eghodahe, visited the palace following the incident and strongly condemned the violent acts.
“I see the attack as unfortunate and call for calm, assuring the community that appropriate measures would be taken to address the situation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The police are yet to respond, even though the DPO of Ekpoma police station and his men did everything to persuade the protesters.
