Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said that investigations by security agencies showed that many persons involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma were indigenes of the area.

Residents of Ekpoma, last weekend, protested the high incidence of kidnappings in the area.

The residents blamed herders for criminal activities in the area.

However, Governor Okpebholo said many persons arrested in the forest by security agencies were natives of Ekpoma and environs.

According to him, “Most of the incidents of people being kidnapped in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is.”

Governor Okpebholo spoke when he received students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, and others, who were released from the Correctional Centre after their arrest in connection with the Ekpoma protest.

Okpebholo assured them of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reform, and the overall development of the university and the state.

He said he was deeply pained by the violent turn the protest took despite his commitment to the revival of AAU.

Governor Okpebholo cautioned the students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements.

He said, “Somebody said he is a student, and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used. Read your books so that you can be like us.”

“The same way you are afraid of your life, is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody, and so it’s a common problem we all have.”

Governor Okpebholo condemned the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, describing it as counterproductive.

He asked, “Things are not moving, people are hungry, and you are burning shops and destroying properties. If it were yours, would you be happy?”

He appealed to the students and youths to embrace peace and constructive engagement, assuring them that criminals would not be allowed to have a hiding place in Edo State.

He said, “We have to work for Edo. Some of you may be innocent, but criminals will not have a hiding place in our state.” (The Nation)