Vehicular and pedestrian movement came to a halt on Monday as hundreds of youths barricaded the Jattu Junction along the Benin–Auchi–Okene highway in Edo State to protest worsening gully erosion and rising cases of kidnapping in Auchi and surrounding communities.
The protest, led by the Auchi Youth Council, caused massive gridlock, stranding motorists, commuters, and heavy-duty vehicles for several hours.
Long lines of cars, trucks, and motorcycles were seen stretching along the busy highway as security operatives were deployed to maintain order.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chalaman Momoh said the demonstration aimed to draw the government’s attention to urgent environmental and security challenges threatening lives and property in the area.
“We are here to cry out to the government about the gully erosion devastating our community,” Momoh said. “Despite several letters and appeals, we’ve received no response. People’s homes and businesses are at risk.”
He also raised concerns about increasing insecurity. “Kidnappers now invade homes to abduct residents. It’s no longer just the highways—they come right into our neighborhoods. Our people live in fear.”
The Coordinator of the Coalition for Edo North Youths for Good Governance, Hafiz Lawal, added that at least 15 people had been kidnapped in Auchi in recent weeks, with ransom payments totaling over ₦70 million.
He identified erosion hotspots such as the Utsokhwilli gully, Water Tanker Road, and the Auchi–Igarra Road, describing them as disasters waiting to happen.
“Our demands are clear,” Lawal said. “The government must urgently tackle both the erosion problem and the escalating insecurity.”
He stressed that the protest was peaceful and solely intended to press for government intervention.
As of the time of filing this report, traffic congestion persisted along the highway, while the Edo State Government had yet to respond.