Youths of Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out in a protest against the series of kidnappings and other security challenges facing communities in the locality.
This follows the recent kidnapping of a Catholic priest, seminarian and other members of the communities in the local government area.
In the last six months, communities in Edo state have been plagued with kidnappings and other nefarious activities of kidnappers which have resulted in deaths.
The latest of such kidnappings is that of the priest and seminarian at St Peters Catholic Church Ivbiukhua in Etsako East local government area which led to the death of the young seminarian Peter Andrew while in the captivity.
As a result, youths of Agenebode who are no longer comfortable with this trend have came out in their numbers to call for help from relevant authorities.
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Carrying placards with various inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs, the youths matched to the local government Council Secretariat, the palace of the Okumagbe of Wanno and the police area command headquarters where they conveyed their grievances about the menacing atrocities of kidnappers suspected to be herdsmen in the area.
The spokesperson of the protesting youths, Engineer Sameki Akhor says they will no longer tolerate the continuous harassment, torture, kidnapping for ransom and organ harvesting being perpetrated on the people .
He wants the government and security agents to be strategic in dealing with the security situation which has deprived prominent members of the community of coming home.
Also noting the devastating effect of incessant kidnappings and other security challenges on the people, the Okumagbe of Uwanno HRM George Eghabor and other keyplayers also joined their voices to those of the protesting youths saying it is time for the federal, state and local governments to take necessary and concrete action to end the menace of insecurity, not only in Agenebode but other communities facing similar situation.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
