Insecurity: Former presidential aspirant raises the alarm, urges Edo govt to protect citizens, not criminalise protests

Former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Patience Ndidi Ofure-Key, has raised the alarm over worsening insecurity in Ekpoma, following protests triggered by kidnapping threats, over the weekend.

In statement in Benin, Ofure-Key, who was also one time governorship candidate of the party in the state, said the spike in kidnap cases in Ekpoma was worrisome, adding the protest by youths, including those linked to Ambrose Alli University, is a call to action.

She noted that protest against increasing abductions is a sign that fear has enveloped residents in the university community.

Ofure-Key stressed that the protection of lives and welfare of the people remained the primary responsibility of government and security agencies, noting that abandonment inevitably fueled anger, tension, and protest.

She noted that where parents dread sleeping with two eyes close, students fear attending classes, the residents will feel they have been deserted, creating a volatile atmosphere that no responsible government should ignore or trivialise.

While condemning violence and lawlessness, Ofure-Key said she understands citizens’ frustration when peaceful appeals for safety are met with silence and inaction.

According to her, people protest not for confrontation but because they feel abandoned, warning that when social order weakens and desperation deepens, communities will feel unprotected.

She expressed concern over allegations that security operatives raided student hostels and arrested protesters, describing such actions as intimidation rather than genuine public safety.

Ofure-Key said democracy cannot restore calmness by treating frightened citizens as enemies nor win trust by arresting young people demanding their fundamental right to safely.

She insisted that allegations must be investigated lawfully but warned authorities against responding to legitimate safety concerns with harassment, intimidation, and indiscriminate arrests.

The former aspirant said persistent government failure forces communities toward self-help, sometimes dangerously, stressing that leadership must prioritise security, justice, and accountability over mass arrests.

She declared that peaceful protest was not a crime, urging authorities to focus on criminals, not victims.

She demanded the immediately release of students and residents arrested solely for protesting.

Ofure-Key also demanded an urgent, clear security action plan for Ekpoma with measurable interventions, timelines, and transparency around security allocations and outcomes.

Ofure-Key called for immediate patrols, joint campus-community security frameworks, emergency reporting systems, hotspot protection, public briefings, and strict accountability for abuses.

She urged the Edo Government, security agencies, AAU management, and community leaders to act decisively, release innocent detainees, and protect Ekpoma residents from kidnappers.

Ofure-Key said Nigeria can not build prosperity on fear, stressing that security underpins education, investment, and development, and Edo must prove it can protect lives.

Addressing students and residents, she urged discipline and lawfulness, warning against allowing criminals hijack of legitimate protests.

She, however, warned that Edo must not suppress citizens’ cries instead of addressing insecurity, declaring that Ekpoma must not become another regretful headline.