Angry youths have set fire to a police station in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, following increasing incidents of kidnappings and killings by suspected criminals. The unrest was fueled by mounting allegations that the police were colluding with kidnappers operating in the region.
The crisis escalated when reports surfaced that kidnappers were abducting residents, murdering them, and possibly harvesting their organs. The breaking point came after a young boy, kidnapped several weeks earlier despite a ransom being paid, was not released. This incident stoked the anger and frustrations of the community.
According to local sources, the youths were able to trace the kidnappers through their phone, leading to the arrest of a suspect who was then handed over to the police. However, the police’s handling of the case dissatisfied the locals, prompting them to take matters into their own hands. The suspect, now in the custody of the youths, reportedly confessed to being involved in the killings and led them to the hideout of the criminal gang. There, the youths discovered the decomposing body of the boy, along with several other human remains believed to be victims of the same gang.
In a fit of rage, the youths set the gang leader's house on fire, destroyed nearby businesses, and eventually attacked the police station, burning it down. One of the protesters expressed the community’s deep frustration, stating, "Enough is enough! The police extort money from us while our children are being murdered. The kidnappers demand millions in ransom, but still kill their victims.”
Attempts to get comments from the Council Chairperson, Mrs. Benedicta Atoh, were unsuccessful, as an aide reported that she was too shocked to respond.
In the aftermath of the violence, senior police officials, including Assistant Inspector General of Police Arungwa Udo and State Commissioner of Police Nemi Edwin-Iwo, arrived at the scene to restore order. The Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, has yet to provide a formal statement, promising to address the media later.
This incident underscores the growing tensions in the region as the community struggles to cope with the worsening security situation.
