#EndSARS: How Idogbo youths protect public properties from arsonists

The #EndSARS protest has left many state governments property in ruin across the southern part of the country following the burning of government property.

In Edo state, about seven police stations, Nigeria Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office and two correctional centres were set ablaze by hoodlums during the protest.

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The burnt stations are Ugbekun, Idogbo, Stsaviour police station located in Ikpoba Okha local government,  Texatile mill road, Evbotubu and Ivbiotor police stations in Egor local government and  Oba Market police stations in Oredo local government of Edo state.

But attempt to burnt down the government primary school and Ipoba Okha local government secretariat located in Idogbo community was resisted by the  community’s vigilante and youths.

A member of the community, who only gave his name as Edosomwan, said during the protest, someone engineered some youths to burn down the government property in the community.

According to him, while some disgruntled elements bought the idea other community youths insisted  that the property should not be attacked as it is the community that are benefiting from it.

“Following the disagreement, the youths informed the community vigilante who joined them to protect the primary school and the local government secretariat.

He said before the hoodlums could mobilise to reach the property, the youths and the vigilante had already surrounded the property insisting that it must not be set ablaze.

He explained that the youths battled the hoodlum for over one hour before the arrival of soldiers on patrol and  the hoodlums ran away on sighting the soldiers.

Another resident, who doesn’t want to be named due to security reasons, commended the youths for resisting the burning of the government property.

“These are government properties that serve the community. If they are destroyed the community will suffer and the money that would have been used for other things would be channeled to repair the property,” he said.