A former Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, Princess Benedicta Attoh, has raised the alarm over worsening insecurity in Okpekpe community, declaring that the Edo State community is “under siege” following a series of killings and kidnappings.

Attoh, an indigene of Okpekpe, said about 10 people had reportedly been killed by bandits and kidnappers operating in and around the community since November 2024, warning that residents could no longer safely farm, travel or even sleep in their homes.

In an urgent security alert made available to The Nation on Sunday and addressed to the Edo State Governor, Attoh called for immediate and sustained security operations in Okpekpe, particularly along the Ebelle–Amughe and Ebelle–Uzanu roads and surrounding communities.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Inspector-General of Police, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army, the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, and other relevant security agencies.

Attoh said the latest incident involved three persons kidnapped along the Ebelle–Amughe road within Okpekpe.

According to her, the kidnappers demanded N30 million ransom, while N3 million was eventually delivered to them.

She said despite the payment, two of the abducted persons were killed, while the third escaped with serious gunshot wounds.

Describing the development as particularly disturbing, the former council chairman said the killing of abductees despite receiving ransom suggested that the criminals operating in the area had become increasingly ruthless and emboldened.

“The latest incident is particularly horrifying. Three individuals were kidnapped along the Ebelle–Amughe road within Okpekpe. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦30 million, and ₦3 million was delivered. Tragically, despite the payment, two of the victims were killed, while the third escaped with serious gunshot wounds.

“This is no longer simply a matter of kidnapping for ransom. The killing of victims even after a ransom payment is deeply alarming and suggests that these criminals are becoming increasingly emboldened and ruthless”, she said.

She painted a grim picture of life in the community, saying fear had disrupted farming, movement between communities and the everyday lives of residents.

“Our people are living in fear. Farmers can no longer access their farms freely. People are afraid to travel between communities. Ordinary residents are constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering whether they will become the next victims”, she said.

Attoh said the security situation had become so frightening that she was personally afraid to sleep in her own home.

“I must confess that I am personally afraid to sleep in my own house because of the fear of a possible attack. If someone who has served her community and is familiar with the terrain can feel this vulnerable in her own home, one can only imagine the level of fear being experienced by ordinary residents, particularly women, children and the elderly”, she said.

She appealed to the governor to personally intervene by directing security agencies to immediately secure Okpekpe, the Ebelle–Amughe and Ebelle–Uzanu corridors and other vulnerable areas around the community.

Among the measures sought by Attoh are the deployment of additional security personnel, sustained patrols of identified kidnapping routes and a coordinated intelligence-led operation to identify and apprehend those behind the attacks.

She also called for an investigation into the latest killings, including the circumstances surrounding the ransom payment and the subsequent deaths of two of the victims.

The former council chairman urged stronger collaboration between security agencies and community structures to improve intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms.

She stressed that residents needed a sustained security presence rather than temporary deployments made only after attacks.

Attoh said the appeal had become necessary to prevent further loss of lives and restore normal economic and social activities in the community.

“We have lost too many lives already. About ten people since November 2024 slaughtered like chickens is ten lives too many.

“We do not want to wait until more families are thrown into mourning before decisive action is taken”, she said.

She urged the governor to treat the situation as an emergency and deploy resources available to the state government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, to reclaim the affected communities from the criminals.

“Our people want to return to their farms. Our children deserve to grow up without fear.

“Our roads must become safe again, and we must be able to sleep in our own homes without fear of being attacked. Your Excellency, Okpekpe is under siege. We urgently need help”, Attoh said. (The Nation)