Edo security operatives brutalize activist Okhani at town hall

DDM News

Auchi, Edo State — Tensions flared in Auchi on Tuesday when a peaceful town hall meeting aimed at fostering legislative accountability ended in violence.

The event, held at the Auchi Council Hall, was reportedly disrupted by operatives of the Edo Security Network, leading to chaos, injury, and outrage across Edo North.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the gathering was organized by Comrade Okhani JP, a prominent civil rights advocate known for persistently demanding transparency and accountability from elected officials representing Afemai communities and the greater Edo North Senatorial District.

Okhani, who has in recent months emerged as a vocal critic of underperforming politicians, convened the town hall as a platform for legislators to render their stewardship to the people.

According to eyewitnesses, among the invited officials was the Edo North Senator, who Okhani has repeatedly challenged to present a comprehensive scorecard since assuming office.

The town hall commenced with a large turnout of residents eager to hear from their elected representatives.

However, the atmosphere took a sudden turn when alleged members of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Edo Security Network stormed the venue.

According to multiple eyewitnesses and video footage circulating online, the security operatives fired live rounds into the air to disperse the gathering.

In the resulting stampede, several attendees were injured while chairs and equipment were destroyed.

More disturbingly, witnesses claim that after scattering the crowd, the operatives singled out Comrade Okhani and brutally assaulted him.

One viral video above appears to show him being dragged and beaten by uniformed personnel before losing consciousness.

His current location remains undisclosed, but sources say he is receiving emergency medical treatment at a private facility.

A source close to the activist’s team, who asked not to be named for security reasons, confirmed to DDM that Okhani had received several threats in recent weeks.

These, the source claims, were allegedly tied to his insistence that top Edo North legislators be held to account for unfulfilled promises and opaque constituency projects.

“This is not just an attack on Okhani,” the source said, “It’s an attack on transparency, democracy, and every Edo North citizen demanding good governance.”

The Edo State Government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Attempts by DDM to reach the governor’s office for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The event has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, where users are calling the assault on Okhani a gross violation of his human rights and democratic freedoms.

The hashtag #JusticeForOkhani is already trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many Edo youths denouncing what they describe as the “APC’s war on accountability.”

Political observers say this incident could further deepen the rift between the Edo State government and civil society voices, especially as the 2027 elections begin to cast their shadow across the region.

Meanwhile, various advocacy groups have called for an independent investigation into the violent disruption of the town hall and the alleged assault on Comrade Okhani. Legal action, they warn, may soon follow.

As tensions continue to rise in Afemai land, the people of Edo North are left asking a pressing question: in a democracy, should asking questions really cost you your life?

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