Date: July 31, 2025
Organized by: Concerned Edo Citizens
Venue: Benin City, Edo State
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Defenders, and Concerned Citizens,
We welcome you to this urgent press conference convened under the banner of Concerned Edo Citizens. Our collective voice rises today to draw national and international attention to the deepening human rights crisis, unchecked abuse of authority, and worsening security situation threatening the lives and dignity of citizens in Edo State.
At the heart of this gathering is our firm demand for justice on behalf of Comrade Okhai Okhani, President of the Edo North Unity Forum. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Comrade Okhani was subjected to a brutal, near-deadly assault allegedly led by over 50 vigilante members, coordinated by one Agbor and Ibrahim Giwa—the Sector Commander of the Vigilante Group in Okpella.
He was forcefully abducted, savagely beaten, and tortured in an isolated area—left barely clinging to life. Eyewitness accounts, alongside the victim’s testimony, confirm that this was no arrest—it was an attempted execution. Only the swift outcry of residents and public attention forced the attackers to abandon their plan and hand him over to the police.
However, what followed was even more horrifying. Rather than rushing Comrade Okhani to a hospital or investigating the abuse, Auchi Area Commander ACP Lawrence Adjihu detained the almost lifeless victim in a police cell for over four hours. His loved ones were denied access. In a shocking twist, the vigilante group told the Area Commander they acted on “an order from above”—a chilling phrase that suggests complicity from those in power.
To this day, no one has been arrested. No investigation has been initiated. The perpetrators roam freely across Edo North, issuing threats and boasting of their immunity. The silence of the authorities, despite multiple reports and a formal petition, sends a dangerous signal: that state-backed violence may go unpunished.
Legal Violations Committed:
This horrific episode violates multiple provisions of Nigerian law:
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Section 33(1) – Right to Life
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Section 34(1)(a) – Right to Dignity; Protection from Torture
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Section 35(1) – Right to Personal Liberty
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Section 36(5) – Presumption of Innocence
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The Anti-Torture Act (2017) – Prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by state or non-state actors
Our Demands:
Given the gravity of these violations, we demand the following:
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Immediate arrest and prosecution of Agbor, Ibrahim Giwa, and all vigilante members involved in the abduction and torture of Comrade Okhani.
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Disciplinary action and redeployment of ACP Lawrence Adjihu for gross misconduct, negligence, and abuse of office.
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A full investigation into the phrase “order from above” to uncover any high-level actors who may have sanctioned the crime.
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Urgent medical, psychological, and legal assistance for Comrade Okhai Okhani.
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A statewide overhaul of vigilante operations in Edo—ensuring human rights compliance, retraining, and accountability mechanisms.
Our Call to the Governor:
We call upon His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, to act swiftly and decisively. This matter goes beyond partisan politics—it strikes at the heart of democracy, public trust, and your administration’s credibility.
Governor Okpebholo, you have publicly distanced yourself from violent politics. This is your moment to reaffirm that promise and stand on the side of justice. The people are watching. History is watching.
Our Resolve:
This is bigger than one man. It’s about the soul of Edo State. If such acts of impunity are allowed to fester, it threatens every citizen. We will not remain silent. We will not allow this injustice to be buried. We will not stop until justice is served.
Let it be known: those who raised their hands against Comrade Okhani—and those who shielded them—will face the law. The struggle for justice has only just begun.
Signed:
Marxist Kola Edokpayi
Coordinator, Concerned Edo Citizens
Comrade Hon. Aghatise Raphael
Secretary General, Concerned Edo Citizens
