Edo Commissioner of Police Leads Patrols in Ekpoma Amid Rising Kidnappings and Violence
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, has led a series of security patrols in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, following growing concerns over kidnappings, violent attacks, and public unrest in the community. The patrols are part of heightened security measures aimed at restoring law and order and reassuring residents that concrete steps are being taken to address the worsening security situation.
The patrol exercise, which involved a visible show of force by police convoys, followed days of tension in Ekpoma after reports of attempted kidnappings, the killing of a youth by suspected kidnappers, and widespread protests by residents. Videos circulating on social media showed police teams moving through major roads and flashpoints in the town, with the Commissioner himself reportedly overseeing operations.
According to the Edo State Police Command, CP Agbonika’s visit and patrol were designed to assess the situation on the ground, boost police presence, and send a strong signal to criminal elements that law enforcement agencies are actively responding to the threat. Police spokespersons stated that the Commissioner engaged officers deployed to the area and reviewed ongoing operations targeting kidnapping networks operating within forests and border communities.
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The security intervention followed a major protest by angry residents of Ekpoma on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Protesters blocked major entry and exit points into the town, disrupted vehicular movement, and demanded urgent government action over repeated kidnapping cases. During the protest, the corpse of a slain youth, allegedly killed by kidnappers, was paraded through the streets, while tyres were burnt on major roads. Commercial activities were brought to a standstill, and some political campaign billboards were reportedly pulled down.
Reacting to the protest, the Edo State Government urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could further endanger lives or undermine security operations. In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, acknowledged the fears and frustrations of residents but warned that uncoordinated protests, including road blockades, could expose communities to greater risks and be exploited by criminal elements.
Afegbua emphasized that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration remains committed to tackling insecurity through structured and proactive measures. He explained that the state’s security strategy includes strengthening the Edo Security Corps, supporting neighbourhood watch initiatives, deploying modern technology, and maintaining continuous engagement with community leaders, traditional rulers, and neighbouring states.
Security agencies have also reported operational successes in Ekpoma and surrounding areas. The Edo State Police Command confirmed that nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after a coordinated operation involving the Eagle Combat Drone Unit, ground troops, and local hunters. According to the police, real-time aerial intelligence helped locate the kidnappers’ camp in the forest, forcing the suspects to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.
The Principal Security Officer to the Governor, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured residents that adequate security personnel would be deployed to Ekpoma and that efforts were ongoing to flush out criminal gangs responsible for the violence. He stated that the state government is determined to restore safety and prevent further attacks on residents, farmers, and commuters.
Despite these assurances, residents continue to express fear, citing repeated kidnappings that have reportedly prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands and disrupted daily life. Community members have called for sustained security presence rather than temporary patrols, stressing the need for intelligence-led policing and long-term solutions.
As CP Agbonika’s patrols continue, authorities insist that collaboration between security agencies and local communities remains critical. The Edo State Government has reiterated its openness to dialogue and pledged to continuously review and strengthen security strategies to ensure lasting peace in Ekpoma and across the state.