Edo youths block highway over erosion, kidnappings

“We are here to cry out to the government on the issue of gully erosion that is ravaging our community,” Momoh said.

“We have written several letters to the government and have yet to receive any response.

“We are also battling the issue of kidnapping. These criminals are no longer operating on highways alone; they now go into people’s homes to abduct them. Our people are no longer safe,” he added.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Coalition for Edo North Youths for Good Governance, Hafiz Lawal, claimed that at least 15 persons had been kidnapped in Auchi in recent weeks, with over N70m reportedly paid as ransom.

He listed key erosion-prone areas in the community to include the Utsokhwilli gully, Water Tanker Road, and the Auchi–Igarra Road, describing them as ticking time bombs.

“Our demand is simple: the government must take immediate steps to address the erosion menace threatening lives and property, and also tackle the insecurity which has led to 15 kidnapping incidents in Auchi alone,” Lawal said.

He added that the protest was peaceful and aimed solely at drawing the government’s attention to the dual crises facing the community.

As of press time, traffic was still backed up along the highway, with no immediate response yet from the Edo State Government.