Residents of Erah Community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently intervene in the worsening insecurity caused by criminal gangs operating from the Erah forest.

The call was made by the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Chief Braimah Osumah Aigboje, the Odale of Erah, and the people of the area in a Save Our Souls message addressed to the state government and security agencies.

In a statement signed by Abu Momodu, Secretary to the palace, the community lamented that suspected criminals had invaded and occupied the forest, using it as a base for kidnapping, ransom-taking, killings and the destruction of farmlands.

The statement noted that some residents had been killed for attempting to protect their community, forcing others to live in constant fear.

“The palace of HRH Chief Braimah Osumah Aigboje, the Odale of Erah Clan, once again cries out to the Edo State Government and all security agencies to urgently intervene in the insecurity in Erah land,” the statement said, adding that farming activities and livelihoods had been severely threatened.

The community recalled earlier appeals to clear the forest of criminal elements, which they said yielded no positive response.

They said the latest appeal was made more compelling by the killing of their sons, including Edeki Ighalo in 2024, Victor Ogedengbe in 2025 and Abdullahi, who were coordinators of local vigilante groups defending the community.
The people expressed hope that normal farming and economic activities would resume once security is restored in the Erah forest.