Uromi, Edo State – Residents of Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction in Uromi, Edo State, have fled their homes over fears of reprisals and mass arrests by security forces following the gruesome lynching of sixteen travellers by a mob last Thursday. The attack, which has sent shockwaves across the state, has resulted in heightened tension, with many locals seeking refuge in neighboring communities to avoid possible arrests or retaliatory violence.
Governor Okpebholo Assures Justice for Victims
Amid the rising tensions, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has assured the public that justice will be served for the victims of the attack. Speaking in Kano State on Sunday, the governor expressed deep regret over the incident and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
During his visit to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), Governor Okpebholo disclosed that fourteen suspects had already been arrested in connection with the lynching. He further revealed that the suspects would be transferred to Abuja for thorough interrogation by federal security agencies.
Call for Independent Investigation
In response to the attack, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings. The forum emphasized the need for transparency in the handling of the case and urged the federal and state governments to ensure that justice is served without bias.
ACF spokesman, in a statement released on Sunday, condemned the incident and called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that innocent individuals are not wrongly targeted in the ongoing arrests. The forum also urged community leaders in Edo State to work towards restoring calm and ensuring that such mob violence does not occur in the future.
Panic Grips Uromi as Residents Flee
Meanwhile, the once-bustling communities of Uromi and its environs have been thrown into fear and uncertainty. Reports indicate that many farmers have abandoned their farmlands due to fears of arrest and possible retaliatory attacks. Some residents who spoke with Niger Delta Herald described the situation as tense, with businesses shutting down and movement in the affected areas severely restricted.
A local resident, identified simply as Monday, narrated the events leading up to the attack. According to him, members of a local vigilante group had received intelligence that the travellers, who were approaching Uromi from the Old Ilushi Road axis, were allegedly in possession of weapons. Acting on this tip-off, the vigilantes intercepted the vehicle and demanded that the occupants step down for questioning. However, the travellers reportedly refused, leading to a heated altercation.
“In the course of the argument, one of the travellers allegedly pulled out a knife, which escalated the situation. The vigilantes immediately raised the alarm, accusing them of being kidnappers. This triggered an angry reaction from the gathered crowd, which soon turned into a mob,” Monday recounted.
He added that while no one has justified the mob action, those directly involved have since fled, while security forces have been making arrests among residents, including some who were not part of the attack.
Security Agencies Intensify Investigations
In light of the tragic event, security forces have stepped up their presence in Uromi and surrounding areas. A combined team of police officers, soldiers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have been deployed to maintain order and track down the perpetrators. Community leaders have also been urged to cooperate with authorities by providing useful information that could aid in the investigation.
Authorities have further warned against any form of jungle justice, stressing that such acts of violence only contribute to lawlessness and undermine the rule of law. The police have assured that anyone found guilty of participating in the mob action will face the full weight of the law, while those wrongly arrested will be released after thorough screening.
As investigations continue, the state government and security agencies have appealed for calm, urging residents to remain law-abiding and allow justice to take its course. The tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers of mob justice and the need for communities to trust law enforcement agencies to handle security matters through legal channels.
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