Some members of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and journalists reportedly escaped death by the after an alleged attack by youths from the Ologbo community in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The civil society members and journalists were reportedly attacked on Thursday, August 27, 2026, when officials of Ossiomo Power Company were about to switch on the Independent Power Plant II unit in a bid to restore electricity supply to its customers in Benin City and its environs.
It was alleged that the members of the CSO were driving out of the area when a large group of irate youths from Ologbo stormed the place in commando style, threatening fire and brimstone.
The youths allegedly held everyone hostage for nearly an hour, fuming over the visitors’ presence in the locality without authorisation.
The CSO’s, comprising members of the Talakawas Parliament led by Marxist Kola Edokpayi, and some journalists, had visited the Ologbo community to witness and report what was supposed to be an epoch-making event.
It was also gathered that the timely intervention of security personnel deployed to protect the property of Ossiomo Power Company saved the visitors from the alleged attack.
Journalists were said to have headed to Ologbo community after news filtered in that the power plant was set to resume electricity supply to thousands of its customers, the majority of whom had allegedly been in darkness for about 10 months.
It was further alleged that the fierce-looking youths attacked a journalist, a company driver and a security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
In an attempt to forcefully remove the journalist from the vehicle in which he was travelling, the youths allegedly tore his shirt and injured his hand. The journalist described the alleged attack as vicious, inhuman and uncivilised.
He, however, thanked the security personnel, particularly officers of the Nigeria Police Force, for preventing what could have resulted in further attacks.
Among the CSO members at the event were Kenneth, Publicity Secretary of the Talakawas Parliament, and Raphael Aghatise, Coordinator of the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights.
The duo lamented that hundreds of customers had been deprived of electricity supply since September 2025, when its operations were allegedly disrupted amid the ownership crisis surrounding the power company.
They said electricity remained a major driver of development and insisted that the people of Edo State protect and support initiatives capable of improving power supply and boosting businesses in the state and Nigeria in general.
“We call for peace and cooperation among stakeholders. The focus should be on ensuring that the people have access to reliable electricity.”
“We say no to vandalism. Light shines over darkness; light brings development.
