BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government has called for restraint and constructive engagement following a protest in Ekpoma on Saturday, January 10, which paralyzed vehicular movement and sparked concerns over the state’s security landscape.

In a press statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the government emphasized that while it recognizes the constitutional right of citizens to protest, the method of expression must not undermine public order or hamper the efforts of security agencies.

The Saturday morning protest, which saw hundreds of residents taking to the streets to voice concerns over safety, resulted in significant traffic gridlock. Addressing the incident, Prince Afegbua warned that such disruptions could be counterproductive.

“Actions such as blocking roads and disrupting movement, especially in the name of protest, do not aid security operations and may inadvertently expose residents to further risks or be exploited by criminal elements,” the Commissioner stated. He urged citizens to resist “dangerous tendencies” that could complicate the work of law enforcement.

The statement highlighted that Governor Monday Okpebholo remains responsive to the safety concerns of Edo residents. According to the Ministry, the administration’s security blueprint is moving away from reactive measures toward a more proactive, intelligence-led framework.

Key components of the Governor’s current security strategy, according to the Commissioner include, strengthening the Edo Security Corps, revitalising neighborhood watch initiatives and constant engagement with community leaders, traditional institutions, and sister states to track criminal activity across borders.

The government expressed concern that “unstructured actions” and “uncoordinated protests” serve as a distraction to security operatives currently engaged in field operations. Instead, the state is encouraging residents to utilize existing platforms to share intelligence and report security threats.

“Effective security solutions are best achieved through intelligence sharing, community collaboration, and sustained engagement with security agencies, not through unstructured actions that undermine public order,” the statement read.

As the situation in Ekpoma returns to normalcy, the state government has reassured the public that security strategies are being “continuously reviewed and strengthened.” The Commissioner reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to making Edo State safe for all, urging residents to remain law-abiding and supportive of those on the front lines.