Okpekpe Race’s security success reflects gains of collective action

webmaster June 2, 2026 News

The increased presence of security personnel and the deployment of modern technology at the just-concluded Okpekpe International Road Race have been described as a strategy befitting the competition’s gold medal status.

The Okpekpe International Road Race was held in Okpekpe, Edo State. The entire Edo North, for which the town belongs, has been enmeshed in a security crisis arising from the menace of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

But the race was held in a tranquil atmosphere with most of the participants praising the length the organisers went to ensure that the event ended without any ugly incident.

According to security expert Peter Dunia, the success of the 10km road race, security-wise, is a sign that the country can defeat insecurity if every citizen joins in the fight against terrorism and criminality.

Dunia, who runs Oceanwaves Nigeria, a security outfit, was part of the sponsors of the race dominated by Ethiopians and Kenyans.

Speaking on the large turnout of marathon enthusiasts at the race, Dunia said that many people were sceptical about the race because of the security challenge in Edo North, adding, however, that the event has proved that the state can curb insecurity if stakeholders join the state government in combating the menace.

He said: “I saw the number of security men around, the drones and how the whole place was properly planned.

This is a big blow to whoever was planning to do anything funny, and this is just the beginning.

“I want to see everybody in this area, whether it is the security department or private individuals, to join in efforts to make our country safe.

“I know the government is doing its best to see how it can curb it and kill it permanently. We are also trying to explain one thing to a lot of people. We want to see how we can help the people,” he said.

Dunia described the future of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race as very bright, adding that the organisers have already started planning for a bumper edition next year.

He added, “This is exciting already, and I know that we are going to collaborate with other stakeholders to make Edo North secure for everybody.”

Dunia, who sponsored the prize money for the first three men and women indigenous runners at the race, also pledged to increase his firm’s presence in the event as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

At this year’s race, he gave N3m, N2m, and N1m each to the first three indigenous finishers, men and women respectively, at the race.

The race was dominated by Ethiopians, with Mamo Lema and Silnat Pitwe winning the men’s and women’s titles respectively.

Lema finished the race in 29 minutes, 37 seconds, while second-placed Arage Getehn got to the finishing line in 29 minutes, 39 seconds.

Kenyans took the third and fourth positions with Maxon Kyngetich (29.53 secs) and Edwin Kibenyo (29.58secs) respectively.

Pitwe won the women’s race in 34 minutes, 18 seconds, followed by compatriot, Mahait Kasahwu (34.19 seconds) and Fridah Ndida of Kenya (34.50 seconds) in second and third positions.