Former Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Princess Benedicta Attoh, has called for urgent security intervention in Okpekpe Community following what she described as incessant kidnappings and killings.

Attoh, in a statement addressed to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Sunday, said about 10 people had been killed by bandits and kidnappers in the community since November 2024.

She said the latest incident occurred along the Ebelle–Amughe Road, where three people were abducted and kidnappers demanded a ₦30 million ransom.

According to her, ₦3 million was paid, but two of the victims were subsequently killed while the third escaped with serious gunshot wounds.

Attoh said the killings, even after ransom payments, showed that the criminals were becoming increasingly emboldened and ruthless.

She added that farmers could no longer freely access their farms, while residents were afraid to travel between communities because of the security situation.

Attoh also said she was personally afraid to sleep in her own home, despite having served the community and being familiar with the terrain.

She appealed to the governor to deploy additional security personnel to Okpekpe and the affected road corridors, investigate the recent killings and maintain a sustained security presence in the area.

She urged the Edo State Government to work with federal security agencies to reclaim the affected communities before more lives were lost.