Angry youths in Edo State tore down President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign billboard to protest rampant kidnappings.
Frustrated residents and students in Ekpoma took to the streets on January 10, 2026, where they climbed and ripped apart a large All Progressives Congress (APC) billboard featuring Tinubu’s “Asiwaju 2027” slogan.
They channeled their rage into this symbolic act, highlighting the government’s failure to curb the escalating abductions that plague the region.
The demonstration erupted after weeks of mounting fear.
Protesters blocked major roads, including the Benin-Auchi highway, and chanted demands for immediate action from state and federal authorities.
Moreover, they linked the insecurity to broader issues like poor road conditions that enable criminals to operate unchecked.
This outburst followed a chilling incident on January 3, when gunmen abducted two brothers—Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, a medical intern at Edo State Teaching Hospital in Auchi, and Abu Tahir—from their home in broad daylight.
The attackers ambushed them at gunpoint as Tahir opened their gate, dragging both into nearby bushes.
Tragically, reports indicate that one brother later died in captivity, fueling the community’s boiling anger.
In addition, social media videos captured the chaos, showing a young man scaling the billboard pole and tearing off sections of Tinubu’s portrait while a crowd below recorded the scene on their phones.
The image quickly went viral, amplifying calls for accountability.
However, the protest reflects a deeper crisis in Edo State.
Kidnappings have surged, targeting students at Ambrose Alli University, doctors, and everyday residents, forcing night curfews and exam postponements.
Furthermore, the Edo State House of Assembly recently urged the police commissioner to intensify efforts against these crimes, underscoring the government’s awareness but perceived inaction.
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, such events signal growing public discontent with the APC’s handling of security.
Analysts warn that unchecked violence could spark wider unrest, eroding trust in leadership.
Yet, protesters remain resolute, vowing to continue until authorities deliver tangible safety measures.
