Following the brutal lynching of 16 northern travellers by a mob last Thursday, residents of Uromi and surrounding areas in Edo State have begun fleeing their homes, fearing reprisals and arrests by security agents.
The killings, which took place along Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction, have sparked widespread panic, causing many to abandon their farms and seek refuge in nearby towns.
A resident, identified only as Monday, shared his account of the incident: “The vigilante group received information that the travellers had weapons in their vehicle. When they arrived in Uromi, the vigilantes asked them to step down, but the travellers refused, leading to an altercation. One of them pulled out a knife, which led the vigilantes to raise an alarm, accusing them of being kidnappers.”
The aftermath of the killings has seen widespread fear, with many youths and residents fleeing the area to avoid being caught up in the ongoing police crackdowns. A young man, arrested by police on Saturday, was reportedly unaware of the earlier incident but still faced detention.
The state governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged that justice will be served, announcing that 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings. “We have made significant progress in this case,” Governor Okpebholo stated during a visit to Kano. “These 14 suspects will be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.”
In response to the tragedy, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent judicial panel to investigate the incident, condemning it as a symptom of deeper issues, including ethnic profiling and inadequate law enforcement. “Uromi 19 is a perverse illustration of Nigeria’s shambolic state of security,” the ACF statement reads.
Governor Okpebholo also reiterated his commitment to addressing the tragedy, stating, “The President is deeply concerned about this. Action has already been taken to ensure justice is done.”