By Our Correspondent
Traditional Ruler of Ekperi Kingdom Orders Herdsmen to Leave Community Over Deadly Attacks, Kidnappings, and Rape Allegations
EKPERI, EDO STATE — In a bold and emotionally charged move, the Paramount Ruler of Ekperi Kingdom, His Royal Highness Alhaji D.Y.E Kanoba, has ordered all herdsmen and their families to vacate the Ekperi community in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
The monarch’s powerful announcement—captured in a viral video now widely circulated on social media, particularly via the Auchi Blog Spot Facebook page—follows rising tensions fueled by rampant kidnappings, rape, killings, and the destruction of farmlands allegedly perpetrated by armed herders.
“Our people have suffered enough. I do not want our youths to take up arms in anger,” the monarch declared solemnly in the video. “To prevent violence and bloodshed, I am appealing—on my knees—that all herders should pack up and leave Ekperi immediately.”
His Royal Highness revealed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has been duly briefed and is currently in Benin City to discuss strategies for ensuring a peaceful relocation. The monarch emphasized that his directive aims to stave off reprisal attacks by increasingly restless youths.
“Our farmlands are being ruined, our daughters attacked, and our farmers kidnapped for ransom. The people have reached their breaking point,” he lamented.
The king’s decisive action comes after months of terror that have crippled agricultural activities, spread fear across the kingdom, and undermined the community’s once-flourishing peace.
Community leaders and residents welcomed the monarch’s decision, describing it as long overdue and warning that any further delay could have sparked violent communal clashes.
The move marks a major turning point in the national conversation surrounding herdsmen-related violence and could serve as a precedent for other traditional rulers across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and South.
Now, all eyes are on the security agencies:
Will they ensure a peaceful evacuation, or will Nigeria once again witness deadly silence in the face of rising terror?
