The Imoga community in the Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene following the killing of one of its residents, Monday Obanigba, allegedly by suspected herders.
The community, in a protest letter dated July 20, 2026, and signed by Jeffery Obasanmi, urged the governor and security agencies to take urgent steps to address the worsening insecurity in the area.
The letter, made available to journalists in Benin City on Tuesday, described the killing as part of a disturbing pattern of violent attacks that has continued to threaten the peace and security of the community.
The residents lamented that the persistent insecurity had prevented many farmers from accessing their farmlands, posing a serious threat to livelihoods and food security.
The letter read in part, “The latest killing by suspected Fulani herders is difficult for us to take. We call on the governor and the security agencies to come to our aid.
“The peculiar geographical location of Imoga further compounds the challenge. Our community shares extensive boundaries with both Kogi State and Ondo State, making it susceptible to cross-border criminal activities and the easy movement of armed attackers.”
While commending the state and local governments for their efforts to improve security, the community requested the establishment of a permanent security base in Imoga.
It also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies in Edo, Kogi, and Ondo states to tackle cross-border criminal activities.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Alabi Oshionogue, charged members of the Edo State Security Corps to intensify efforts to curb insecurity in the area.
Describing the killing as unfortunate, Oshionogue said the level of insecurity should have reduced, considering the resources committed to supporting the security corps.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ajayi Julius, the chairman urged the personnel to redouble their efforts in combating kidnapping and other crimes.
He said, “I must say that more is expected of us; security is local, and with the number of Edo State Security Corps personnel being paid by the Council to enhance grassroots security, I do not see any reason we should still be talking about kidnapping in Akoko-Edo with this number of personnel here.”
He urged the security corps to complement the efforts of the state government in tackling kidnapping and cultism by remaining committed to their responsibilities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Screening Committee and Secretary to the Local Government, Topa Okomayin, criticised what he described as the nonchalant attitude of many personnel of the Edo State Security Corps in the area and called for greater dedication to duty.
