Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A wave of terror has engulfed Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, forcing residents to adjust their lives around an unrelenting fear of kidnapping and violent attacks. Prominent community leaders, including Pastor Dr. Daniel Eromosele, have issued urgent appeals to the Edo State Government, demanding immediate security intervention before the situation spirals into a full humanitarian crisis. For months, the town known for hosting Ambrose Alli University, a major educational institution drawing thousands of students from across Nigeria, has witnessed a steady deterioration in public safety. Kidnappings have become so frequent that many residents now avoid traveling after sunset, and some have even restricted their movements during daylight hours. Business owners report declining commercial activity, while parents of students studying in the town express growing anxiety over the safety of their children.
The mood in Ekpoma has shifted palpably. What was once a bustling academic and commercial hub now carries an air of siege. Residents say criminal gangs operate with alarming boldness, abducting individuals from homes, roadsides, and farms, often demanding ransoms that ordinary families cannot afford. In recent weeks, several incidents have been reported on social media, though many go unrecorded due to fear of reprisal or distrust in the response capacity of security agencies. Videos featuring respected community figures have circulated widely online, each carrying a similar message: the government must act now. Pastor Dr. Daniel Eromosele, a well-known cleric and community voice, joined other notable indigenes in directly appealing to Governor Godwin Obaseki to deploy more security personnel, equip local police, and establish a permanent military presence in the area. His emotional plea captured the desperation of a population that feels abandoned.
“We are living in fear. Our children cannot sleep at night. Our mothers are afraid to go to the market. The kidnappers have taken over Ekpoma,” Pastor Eromosele was quoted as saying in one of the circulating recordings. He called on the state government to “break the silence and act decisively.” His words echo the sentiments of traders, transport operators, landlords, and students who have all felt the chilling effect of rising crime. Transport unions have reported that many commercial drivers now refuse to operate after 7 p.m., leaving night travelers stranded. Hospitality businesses, including hotels and lounges, have seen a sharp drop in patronage as the town’s once‑vibrant nightlife fades into empty streets.
For students of Ambrose Alli University, the insecurity has become a daily threat. The university is a major reason for Ekpoma’s prominence, drawing young people from across the country. But many students now live in constant fear, with some reportedly skipping lectures to return to hostels before dark. Parents have called on the university administration to allow virtual learning or adjust class schedules to minimize risk. The Students’ Union Government has also raised the alarm, urging the state government to increase police patrols on campus and along the major roads leading into the town. In a recent meeting with the university’s management, student leaders presented a list of hot spots where kidnappings have occurred, including the Ikekato, Ujemen, and Iyon roads.
Community stakeholders have not remained passive. A coalition of elders, youth leaders, and market associations has met several times to discuss possible self‑help measures, including the formation of local vigilante groups and the installation of security cameras at strategic points. However, residents are wary of taking the law into their own hands, recalling past incidents where vigilante justice led to unintended casualties. They insist that the primary responsibility for protection lies with the state and federal security agencies. “We need the police to do their job. We need the military to flush out the criminals hiding in the forests around Ekpoma. We cannot continue to live like prisoners in our own town,” a community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity told this reporter.
The insecurity in Ekpoma is not an isolated phenomenon. Across Edo State, particularly in border communities and towns along the Benin‑Abuja highway, kidnappings have surged in the past year. Criminal gangs have taken advantage of dense forest cover, poor road lighting, and understaffed police posts to establish hideouts. In response, the Edo State Government has previously launched operations such as “Keep Edo Safe” and deployed the state’s security trust fund to equip the police. However, residents of Ekpoma argue that these efforts have not reached their community or that they have been insufficient to reverse the tide of fear. Some accuse the government of neglecting the town because of its distance from the state capital, Benin City.
Calls for action have now become loud enough that the state authorities cannot ignore them. The Edo State Police Command, when contacted, acknowledged the concerns and promised to increase patrols and intelligence‑led raids in the area. The police spokesperson noted that several arrests had been made in recent weeks but admitted that the criminal networks were resilient and required sustained pressure. Community leaders, however, want more than promises. They want visible deployments, regular stop‑and‑search operations, and a dedicated anti‑kidnapping squad stationed in Ekpoma. They also want the government to address the root causes of crime, including youth unemployment and the proliferation of small arms in the region.
As the fear grips Ekpoma, life continues under a shadow. Families hold evening prayers longer. Business owners close shops earlier than usual. Students walk in groups, constantly looking over their shoulders. Pastor Dr. Daniel Eromosele’s appeal may have broken the silence, but the question remains whether those in power will respond with the urgency that lives and livelihoods demand. For now, the people of Ekpoma wait, hope, and prepare for another night of uncertainty in a town that once thrived on the promise of education and community.
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