A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party, Patience Ndidi Ofure-Key, has expressed concern over the alleged raid of student hostels and arrest of protesters at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, following a violent anti-kidnapping protest. According to Ofure-Key, who was also a governorship candidate in Edo State, the allegations, if true, amount to intimidation rather than genuine public safety measures.
The protest was sparked by rising kidnapping threats and fear in the community. Ofure-Key stated that residents and youths, including those linked to the university, protested repeated abductions, and that fear has overtaken daily life in the university community. She emphasized that the protection of lives and welfare remains the primary responsibility of government and security agencies, and that abandonment inevitably fuels anger, tension, and protest.
Ofure-Key warned that democracy cannot restore calm by threatening or frightening citizens, and that security underpins education, investment, and development. She urged the Edo State Government, security agencies, the university management, and community leaders to act decisively by releasing innocent detainees and protecting Ekpoma residents from kidnappers.
The former presidential aspirant also called for an urgent, clear security action plan for Ekpoma, with measurable interventions, timelines, and transparency around security allocations and outcomes. She questioned the recurring “security votes” amid persistent insecurity, insisting that citizens deserve clear accounting, measurable results, and public reporting on security spending.
Ofure-Key advised that leadership must prioritize security, justice, and accountability over mass arrests. She demanded immediate patrols, joint campus-community security frameworks, emergency reporting systems, hotspot protection, public briefings, and strict accountability for abuses. The Edo State government, she said, must not suppress citizens’ cries instead of addressing insecurity.
The incident highlights the worsening insecurity in Ekpoma, which has led to fear and desperation among residents and students. Ofure-Key’s call for action emphasizes the need for the government to prioritize security and address the concerns of citizens. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the allegations and the demands for improved security in the region.
