Benin City’s Ring Road Turns Dangerous: Women Harassed and Targeted by Street “Pimp Gangs” in Broad Daylight
Benin City, Edo State —
Across Benin City, particularly around the bustling Ring Road, reports of harassment and predatory behavior against women are on the rise. What began as accounts of groping and public assault has now evolved into a disturbing trend of organized exploitation, where groups of men openly approach young women, pretending to be friendly — only to lure them into dangerous arrangements.
Harassment in Broad Daylight
At around 11 a.m., in full view of pedestrians and police officers, a woman walking through Ring Road was reportedly groped and assaulted by a stranger. Her companion, who spoke under anonymity, said:
“People saw what happened. She was shocked and scared. Even police officers nearby just watched. Nobody said a word.”
This story mirrors dozens of similar testimonies from women who have been harassed in markets, bus stops, and public squares. Witnesses report that offenders often act boldly, knowing they are unlikely to face arrest or confrontation.
Human rights groups say this signals a collapse of public safety in one of Edo State’s busiest districts.
A New Threat: Street “Pimp Gangs” Targeting Young Women
In a new wave of reports, some groups of men have been seen approaching young women on the streets, especially those they perceive as attractive or well-dressed.
“They’ll walk up to her in groups, acting friendly, confident — almost like they already know her,” said a vendor near Oba Market. “They’ll tell her she can meet rich men, that they can ‘connect’ her. She feels cornered and overwhelmed. Before she knows it, she’s given them her number.”
These encounters often happen in public — which gives victims a false sense of safety. The men’s casual tone and social dominance make passersby assume they are friends, when in reality, they are recruiting or coercing women into sex work or exploitation.
Some witnesses say these groups use psychological pressure, offering money, status, or “connections,” while exploiting economic hardship and unemployment among young women.
Police Silence and Cultural Complicity
Despite the rise of these incidents, law enforcement has been largely unresponsive.
Residents say police officers stationed around Ring Road and nearby Uselu often ignore complaints unless there’s physical violence or media attention.
“It’s not just one case — it’s every day,” said Efe Asemota, a gender rights lawyer. “These men know nothing will happen to them. It’s a culture of silence that protects predators.”
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) criminalizes sexual harassment and coercion, but in practice, enforcement in Edo remains weak.
Experts Warn of Escalation
Sociologists and psychologists warn that public harassment and predatory recruitment are part of a larger societal breakdown fueled by poverty, unemployment, and the objectification of women in pop culture.
“When young men see women as economic opportunities rather than people, violence becomes normalized,” says Dr. Osagie Igbinedion, a social researcher at the University of Benin. “It starts as harassment and can evolve into trafficking.”
He added that Benin City has long been a hotspot for human trafficking, with many victims lured through casual street encounters that seem harmless at first.
Calls for Urgent Action
Advocates are urging Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State Police Command to act swiftly.
Proposed solutions include:
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Deploying gender-specialized police patrols around Ring Road and major markets.
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Installing CCTV cameras in public areas.
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Launching public awareness campaigns on street safety and exploitation.
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Creating anonymous hotlines for women to report harassment.
“Benin’s women are not safe in their own city,” said one activist. “We cannot call this civilization if we ignore it.”
The Bigger Picture
What’s happening in Benin City is not isolated. Across Nigeria, similar stories of public harassment, grooming, and exploitation are emerging — worsened by economic inequality and weak policing.
Until there is accountability, women will continue to walk through public spaces not with confidence, but with fear.
Sources:
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Eyewitness accounts, Benin City (2025)
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Edo State Civil Society for Gender Justice
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Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015
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Interviews with vendors and human rights lawyers
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University of Benin – Department of Sociology and Anthropology