Edo State, once known as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful States, is fast transforming into an ominous gangland where lawlessness, brigandage, and illegality have become commonplace.

In the last two months of the administration of Monday Okpebholo, thugs and other non-state actors, popularly referred to by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the lions and tigers, have hijacked the heartbeat of the nation and every new day, citizens are awoken with different tales of harassment, intimidation, extortion and brazen attacks by these hoodlums.

Within this short period, the State has witnessed an uptick in violence and criminal activities tied to these different gangs who are said to be under the protection of the state government.

Fear has become a constant companion for many, as citizens live under the fear of being the next victims of endless attacks or brutality. The State’s economy is also severely hit by this retrogression as businesses are forced to close early due to the pervasive insecurity, causing economic stagnation and hardship for residents. Edo’s status as a cultural and tourist destination is also being seriously threatened, as both local and international visitors and investors are increasingly worried for their lives. Markets and other public spaces have become unsafe, with regular daily activities disrupted by lawlessness and chaos.

For the chairmen of the State’s 18 local government councils, who have had their fair share of this brigandage and lawlessness, their firsthand accounts of the chaos and intimidation they faced at the hands of thugs and other criminals deployed by the governor and his party to sack and intimidate them and their vice chairmen out of office using horse whips and other dangerous weapons will paint a clearer picture of the gangland that Edo has become.

This was after the government’s failed illegal suspension of the local councils through the State Assembly, despite the ruling of every court in the land, from the Chief Judge of Edo State to the Supreme Court and an Edo State High Court, as well as the advisory of the President through the Attorney General of the Federation.

Edo residents will not forget in a hurry how gangs of thugs hired by the State Government, in Gestapo style, stormed the Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to violently attack and sack the party out of its Secretariat and take over. This violent takeover appears probably the worst attack on democracy in any part of Nigeria since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999.

The entire operation, according to the Chairman of the PDP who witnessed the event, was violent and brutal. The secretariat was vandalized, and there was wreckage and destruction everywhere. Banners and other materials were taken off and destroyed. Lives were put in danger, including that of the Chairman, who was bungled and booed out of his party secretariat like a common criminal.

A day before the Secretariat’s violent takeover, the APC deployed a masked, armed thug, who arrived in an unregistered white Toyota Hilux and was shooting sporadically on Reservation Street, by Ezoti Junction, close to the premises of the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal hearing, causing panic and disrupting public order.

The sounds of gunfire echoed into the venue of the Edo election petition tribunal, creating a tense and unsafe atmosphere and posing a serious threat to the safety and security of the judges, lawyers, and all present at the tribunal sitting.

The gun-wielding thug has said to be uncovered to be Osarumwense Marvis, who previously served as the Ikpoba-Okha Coordinator for the Youth4Youth Movement and currently the Public Response Safety (PRS) Coordinator for Aduwawa, with both organizations led by Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Capacity Ebo Stone, an appointee of the Monday Okpebholo-led government.

The attacks, intimidation, and harassment of lawyers, judges, and others within court premises have continued unabated till this day, despite public outcry and repeated warnings from various authorities.

The drivers and traders in Edo State are not spared of this brutality and violent rule. In motor parks and markets, thugs and other non-state actors operating under the protection of the state government daily harass, intimidate, and extort transporters and traders without restraint.

Recently, drivers protested at the Oluku axis to voice their dissatisfaction, resulting in severe traffic jams that left numerous commuters and road users stranded for hours.

Under Monday Okpebholo’s watch, Edo State has become a haven for thuggery, brigandage, and blatant illegality, leaving citizens at the mercy of hoodlums empowered by their government. Worst still, the police and other security agencies in the State who are supposed to put these thugs and other criminal elements in check appear to be either complacent or complicit.

Currently, constitutional democracy has ceased to exist in Edo State, and it has been replaced by lawlessness, illegality, and brigandage.

The root of this regression stems from Edo State having several chief executives, including Adams Oshiomhole, Jarret Tenebe, and notorious figures like Kelly Okungbowa and Tony ‘Kabaka’ Adun.

Each is a de facto governor in different rights and corners, so there is no leadership. It is this vacuum that has today transformed our dear Edo State into a gangland where everyone lives in fear, worried about being the next victim of violent attacks, harassment, intimidation or brutality.

It, however, bears repeating that the wind currently blowing in Edo State is an ill wind, which will blow no one good. It must be stopped before the damage becomes irreparable.

Osagie is the Media Adviser to His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State (2016-2024)