Indigenes and residents of Auchi and surrounding communities in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State have called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s military leadership to urgently intervene in what they describe as a worsening wave of kidnappings and killings in the area.
The appeal was made in an open letter issued on Thursday by the Concerned Residents and Youths of Auchi Sacred Kingdom and Surrounding Communities, and signed by Abdul Maleeq. The letter was also copied to key authorities, including the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the state governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The residents cited a recent incident on April 19 in which a young man identified as Christopher was killed, while a woman who was with him was abducted and remains in captivity. The attack reportedly occurred close to a military checkpoint along the Auchi-Igarra Road, an area residents say has become a frequent site of violent kidnappings.
According to the community, the location commonly referred to as Igbira Camp is situated less than three kilometres from the Nigerian Army School of Mechanical Engineering, yet criminal activities persist there.
In the letter, residents expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of effective security response despite the presence of military personnel.
“We write this petition from a place of deep pain, fear and frustration. For too long, our area has been plagued by relentless kidnapping, violence and insecurity.
“The soldier checkpoint at Fertiliser Junction, Igbira Camp axis, meant to protect us, has instead become a symbol of abandonment, inaction and alleged misconduct.
“These are not isolated events. The Igbira Camp area and nearby axis have become notorious for abductions, with multiple incidents involving residents, including cases near City Pride Road and attempts on traders and workers along the Auchi-Igarra route. Families live in constant fear, with kidnappers striking even in broad daylight or near supposed security outposts.
“We acknowledge that the Nigerian Army has conducted operations in the broader Auchi area, neutralising some suspects and rescuing victims in forests. These efforts have not translated to visible protection or rapid response at this specific checkpoint.”
The letter also alleged that on one occasion, local vigilantes and hunters acting on intelligence about suspected kidnappers were delayed at a military checkpoint for nearly two hours, allowing the suspects to escape.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the military were unsuccessful, as calls to the spokesperson of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Benin City were not returned, with only a brief acknowledgement sent via messaging.
The residents are now urging authorities to take decisive action to address the situation, improve response mechanisms, and restore safety in the affected communities.
