Fear Grips Uromi as Residents Flee Amid Police Crackdown
Panic in Uromi as Residents Flee Amid Police Crackdown
Tension has gripped several communities in Uromi, Edo State, as residents abandon their homes in fear of reprisals and mass arrests following the lynching of 16 travelers last Thursday.
Naija News reports that areas around Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction have been largely deserted, with many fleeing to nearby towns.
The exodus follows Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s announcement that 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killings will be transferred to Abuja for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent judicial panel to probe the incident thoroughly.
Fear and Uncertainty Grip Uromi
Many residents have stopped going to their farms, afraid of indiscriminate arrests and possible retaliation. Youths, in particular, are fleeing, fearing they may be targeted.
A local identified as Monday narrated how the attack unfolded. “The vigilante group received a tip-off that the travelers had weapons.
When they arrived in Uromi, the vigilantes asked them to step out of their vehicle, but they refused. One of them reportedly pulled out a knife, triggering panic,” he explained.
“Though no one is justifying the killings, those involved in the mob action have now fled, while innocent people are being arrested,” he added, describing how police apprehended a man near Opere Secondary School during a wedding ceremony on Saturday.
Another resident, Mr. Akhere, argued that the slain men were not innocent hunters, as widely reported. “No one supports mob justice, but these men were armed and carrying large amounts of cash. The mistake was not handing them over to the police. People here have suffered kidnappings for years, and frustration boiled over,” he said.
Jenny Osajie, a local, shared her pain, recalling how her brother was kidnapped and killed after the family failed to pay a ₦5 million ransom. “We’ve been crying out for government intervention for years. Why is action only being taken now? Is it because of who the victims were?” she questioned.
Panic in Ekpoma Over Attack Rumor
The unrest spread to nearby Ekpoma on Monday when rumors of an impending attack by Fulani herders caused panic in the local market. Traders fled, and motorists made sudden U-turns before security forces intervened to restore calm.
The situation in Uromi remains tense, with fears of further crackdowns and retaliatory violence looming.
Fear Grips Uromi as Residents Flee Amid Police Crackdown
