Edo TIB Secures Release of Assaulted Activist Okhai Okhani, Condemns Police Intimidation and Demands Prosecution of Edo Vigilante Suspects

PRESS STATEMENT

06/03/2026

Edo TIB Secures Release of Assaulted Activist Okhai Okhani, Condemns Police Intimidation and Demands Prosecution of Edo Vigilante Suspects

The Edo State Chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) has successfully secured the release of activist, Comrade Okhai Okhani, who was wrongfully detained by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Benin City.

It will be recalled that around July 2025, Comrade Okhai Okhani was brutally attacked by members of the Edo Vigilante group led by one Abu, also known as Agbor. The violent assault left him critically injured and he was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Following public outrage over the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State ordered the arrest of Abu (aka Agbor), who reportedly led the attack. However, in a troubling turn of events, the suspect was later granted bail and released to the Edo State Chief of Staff.

Subsequently, another suspect identified as Mr. Cosmas Iwenekha presented himself at the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Police Headquarters in Benin City in the company of the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government. Rather than ensure justice for the victim, the case took a disturbing direction.

Comrade Okhai Okhani was suddenly moved from the Anti-Cultism Unit to the Cybercrime Unit where, incredibly, the same suspect who had been implicated in the violent attack filed a petition accusing him of defamation of character. Acting on this questionable petition, the police detained Comrade Okhai Okhani and asked him to contact family members to secure his bail.

Upon receiving this information at about 5pm of 4th March 2026, the Edo State leadership of the Take It Back Movement immediately intervened. Led by the State Coordinator, Engineer Onobumhe Clinton Iragboghie, the movement engaged the authorities and successfully secured the release of Comrade Okhai Okhani.

This development raises serious concerns. It appears that instruments of the state are being used to intimidate and harass the victim of a violent attack rather than prosecute those responsible for the crime. We are particularly disturbed that despite the gravity of the assault on Comrade Okhai Okhani, the case has not been taken to court to ensure that the suspects face justice.

The continued delay in prosecuting those responsible for the attempted murder of Comrade Okhai Okhani raises questions about possible interference and the misuse of the police to shield perpetrators while intimidating victims.

The Take It Back Movement strongly condemns this injustice and demands that the Edo State Police Command immediately ensure that all suspects involved in the attack are properly charged to court and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

We also call on the authorities to end all forms of intimidation, harassment, and manipulation aimed at silencing Comrade Okhai Okhani.

The people of Edo State must be assured that justice will not be compromised. The injustices done to Comrade Okhai Okhani must not be swept under the carpet. Until justice is served, the Take It Back Movement will continue to demand accountability.

Signed:
Engineer Onobumhe Clinton Iragboghie (Comr)
State Coordinator
Edo State Chapter
Take It Back Movement