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Hundreds of youths in Edo State’s Akoko-Edo local government area blocked the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Road to protest the poor state of infrastructure and rising kidnappings.
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The protesters demanded action from the state government, citing the kidnapping of a Labour Party chieftain, Okasime Olowojoba, who was held for almost a month despite a ransom being paid.
Hundreds of youths in Edo State’s Akoko-Edo local government area took to the streets on Wednesday, blocking the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Road in protest of the area’s dilapidated infrastructure and rising kidnappings.
The protesters, who were armed with placards and determination, brought traffic to a standstill on the busy highway, causing gridlocks that stretched for several hours.
One of the protesters, Paul Lawani, expressed frustration with the government’s apparent lack of concern for the area’s plight.
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“We cannot continue to be slaves in our country,” Lawani said. “The government should come and tell us what they are doing. Akoko-Edo local government area has three General Hospitals, and none is functioning well. What is clear is that our 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.”
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The protesters also lamented the kidnapping of Okasime Olowojoba, a Labour Party chieftain who was kidnapped almost a month ago. Despite paying a ransom of over N5 million, Olowojoba remains in captivity. “One of our brothers has been with the kidnappers for almost one month; they have collected money in millions, and they are yet to release him,” Lawani said, highlighting the government’s failure to ensure the safety of citizens.
The protesters accused security agents posted to the area of not taking their job seriously and vowed to continue the protest until the state government attended to their demands.
However, after several hours of protest, the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adehce Saiki, intervened and sent emissaries to the protesters.
The traditional ruler assured the protesters that he had written to the state government about the poor state of the road and the level of kidnappings in the area.
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