Hendrix Oliomogbe
Worried by the upsurge in kidnappings and gruesome killings, the people of Erah in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State have made a passionate appeal to Governor Monday Okpebholo and all relevant security agencies to decisively intervene to rid the community's deep forest of suspected criminals and criminalities.
In a statement by Mr. Abu Momodu, the secretary to the Palace of Udale of Erah Land and made available to journalists in Benin, he lamented that Erah Forest has been invaded and occupied by suspected criminals which amongst others they use as den of crimes and criminalities; kidnappings; and ransoms taking.
Mr. Momodu also accused the suspected criminals of destruction of farms; threats to farming and farmers; and lives and properties.
He recalled that the community had on several occasions raised serious, alarm and appealed for assistance to flush out the suspected criminals and destroy their bases deep inside the forest.
He said that the series of appeals became more urgent following the tragic and gruesome killings of some of three of the indigenes between 2024 and 2025 by suspected kidnappers.
Mr. Momodu wailed: "These appeals became even more urgent following the tragic and gruesome killings of our sons: Edeki Ighalo in 2024 and Victor Ogedengbe in 2025 and Abdullahi in 2025, whose only offence was that they were the coordinators and members of Erah Vigilante who were securing Land against criminals and criminalities."
He added that several other person have been kidnapped and taken to the same forests, further lamenting that despite these distressing incidents, timely and adequate intervention has remained insufficient.
He said that there's an urgent need for the government and the relevant security agencies to act fast and tackle the security challenges in the agrarian community as the planting season is about to commence.
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