In a brazen act that has sent shockwaves through the community, a fresh kidnapping incident was captured on CCTV in Ekpoma, Edo State, occurring a mere day after residents staged a massive protest against the rampant abductions plaguing the area.
The Chilling CCTV Footage
The video evidence, which has now gone viral, shows the terrifying moment the victim was seized. The footage reveals the man driving his vehicle into the safety of his own compound on Sunday evening, January 11, 2025. Before he could secure himself, armed men suddenly emerged from a nearby bush, accosted him, and forcefully whisked him away. This incident took place in the heart of Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area.
A Community's Protest Ignored
This kidnapping is particularly alarming as it happened just 24 hours after the community's cry for help. On Saturday, January 10, angered residents of Ekpoma took to the streets to demonstrate against the incessant and frightening wave of kidnappings. The protest was significant, drawing in students from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and bringing commercial activities across the university town to a standstill.
In a display of their frustration with the authorities' perceived inaction, the protesters targeted symbols of political campaigns. They pulled down several campaign billboards that had been mounted in the town ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Pattern of Fear and Insecurity
This latest abduction underscores a severe and ongoing security breakdown in Ekpoma. The town has witnessed repeated attacks by kidnappers in recent times, with many residents being abducted right from their homes. This pattern has created an atmosphere of pervasive fear and simmering anger, threatening the social fabric of the community.
The swift succession of a major public protest followed immediately by another kidnapping highlights the critical nature of the security situation. It raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the need for a decisive, robust response from security agencies to restore peace and safety to the residents of Esan West.
