BENIN CITY – A week after the brutal killing of 16 northern travelers in Uromi, Edo State, the town remains gripped by tension, with residents expressing fears of reprisals and police harassment. Life is gradually returning to normal, yet skepticism looms large as reports of indiscriminate arrests and extortion by security personnel continue to surface.
Market Activities Affected as Fear Persists
The unease was particularly noticeable during the town’s traditional market day, as the usually bustling Mission Road, home to Uromi’s largest market, witnessed an unusual decline in both human and vehicular traffic. Traders and residents voiced concerns over the prevailing atmosphere, which has significantly disrupted business activities.
Allegations of Police Extortion and Arbitrary Arrests
Local youths have raised serious allegations against the police, accusing them of detaining individuals arbitrarily and extorting large sums of money under threats of implicating them in the mob killings. Some sources claim that detainees are forced to pay up to N300,000 for their release, while a recent case involved a young returnee from overseas who reportedly transferred N1 million through a POS machine to avoid being transported to Abuja.
A resident, speaking in pidgin English, lamented:
*”Make dem do come dey go because no be wetin dem send dem, naim dem dey do now” (“They should leave us now because what they are doing is not what they were sent to do”).
Another local, Prince Eugene Olumese, noted how the situation has instilled fear in young people, preventing them from gathering in groups, as police allegedly round up individuals at random. He added that even innocent residents are now at risk of being arrested.
Police Respond to Allegations
The Edo State Police Command has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that those making accusations should provide concrete evidence. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Moses Yamu stated:
“It is not just enough to allege that police are extorting; there must be proof. If people have been victims, they should come forward so we can investigate.”
Regarding the claim that a young man paid N1 million to avoid arrest, Yamu mentioned that the allegation originated on social media, and efforts to obtain further details from the source had so far yielded no response.
Uromi Remains on Edge as Security Presence Declines
Despite the tension, there has been a notable reduction in the number of security personnel on the streets compared to earlier in the week. However, areas close to the site of the mob action, particularly Goodwill Junction along Old Ilushi Road, remain largely deserted. Shops, churches, and residential buildings in the vicinity are still locked up, while commercial motorcyclists avoid the area.
When a journalist visited the site, the burned truck—previously loaded with palm kernel shells—was still at the scene, with scavengers attempting to collect scrap metal from the remains.
Banks Resume Operations Despite Market Slowdown
Contrary to speculation that financial institutions might suspend operations due to the unrest, all commercial banks along Mission Road were open to customers. However, traders at Uromi market confirmed that business activities remained sluggish, with many planning to close early due to the low turnout.
Residents Justify Mob Action, Cite Prolonged Security Failures
Many residents continue to insist that the slain travelers were not mere hunters, raising questions about the large sum of new naira notes allegedly found on them. They argue that years of unchecked kidnappings in Uromi forced some locals to take matters into their own hands.
One resident, Olumese, explained:
“When kidnappers are caught and handed over to the police, they often walk free within days or months. This puts the vigilantes who capture them in danger, as the criminals eventually return to retaliate. While mob justice is not the right approach, people felt helpless due to the authorities’ failure to act.”
Edo Government Takes Steps to De-escalate Tensions
Edo State Secretary to the Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, confirmed that 11 out of the 27 attacked travelers were rescued, with three currently receiving medical treatment. The others were transported back to Kano by the state government.
He condemned the extrajudicial killings but emphasized that the state is actively working to address security concerns. According to him, the illegal vigilante group allegedly involved in the mob killings had previously been suspended due to misconduct.
Ikhilor highlighted the government’s efforts to improve security, including the procurement of 75 new Hilux vehicles and power motorcycles for law enforcement agencies, which have been instrumental in recent successes such as the swift rescue of a kidnapped traditional ruler in Uromi.
Northern Group Warns of Retaliation, Calls Northerners to Return Home
In response to the killings, the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has issued a stern warning about potential reprisals across northern states and Abuja. The group urged all northerners residing in the south to return home for their safety, citing repeated attacks on their people and destruction of properties.
In a statement signed by Chairman Ali Muhammad, the CNF condemned what it sees as the failure of authorities to protect northerners outside their region. The group stressed that unless decisive action is taken against the perpetrators, retaliatory attacks would be inevitable.
“Northerners must return home following the brutal murder of their people in Uromi. This is not the first time such an attack has occurred. If the authorities continue to neglect their duty, we will be left with no choice but to defend ourselves,” the statement read.
The forum called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, along with compensation for victims’ families, insisting that justice must prevail to prevent further violence.
Conclusion
As Uromi attempts to recover from the tragic incident, fear and uncertainty still dominate the atmosphere. While the Edo State government has pledged to de-escalate tensions and improve security, allegations of police extortion and arbitrary arrests have compounded the crisis. The looming threat of reprisal attacks from the north further raises concerns about the broader implications of the killings, highlighting Nigeria’s deep-seated ethnic and security challenges.
BENIN CITY – A week after the brutal killing of 16 northern travelers in Uromi, Edo State, the town remains gripped by tension, with residents expressing fears of reprisals and police harassment. Life is gradually returning to normal, yet skepticism looms large as reports of indiscriminate arrests and extortion by security personnel continue to surface.
Market Activities Affected as Fear Persists
The unease was particularly noticeable during the town’s traditional market day, as the usually bustling Mission Road, home to Uromi’s largest market, witnessed an unusual decline in both human and vehicular traffic. Traders and residents voiced concerns over the prevailing atmosphere, which has significantly disrupted business activities.
Allegations of Police Extortion and Arbitrary Arrests
Local youths have raised serious allegations against the police, accusing them of detaining individuals arbitrarily and extorting large sums of money under threats of implicating them in the mob killings. Some sources claim that detainees are forced to pay up to N300,000 for their release, while a recent case involved a young returnee from overseas who reportedly transferred N1 million through a POS machine to avoid being transported to Abuja.
A resident, speaking in pidgin English, lamented:
*”Make dem do come dey go because no be wetin dem send dem, naim dem dey do now” (“They should leave us now because what they are doing is not what they were sent to do”).
Another local, Prince Eugene Olumese, noted how the situation has instilled fear in young people, preventing them from gathering in groups, as police allegedly round up individuals at random. He added that even innocent residents are now at risk of being arrested.
Police Respond to Allegations
The Edo State Police Command has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that those making accusations should provide concrete evidence. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Moses Yamu stated:
“It is not just enough to allege that police are extorting; there must be proof. If people have been victims, they should come forward so we can investigate.”
Regarding the claim that a young man paid N1 million to avoid arrest, Yamu mentioned that the allegation originated on social media, and efforts to obtain further details from the source had so far yielded no response.
Uromi Remains on Edge as Security Presence Declines
Despite the tension, there has been a notable reduction in the number of security personnel on the streets compared to earlier in the week. However, areas close to the site of the mob action, particularly Goodwill Junction along Old Ilushi Road, remain largely deserted. Shops, churches, and residential buildings in the vicinity are still locked up, while commercial motorcyclists avoid the area.
When a journalist visited the site, the burned truck—previously loaded with palm kernel shells—was still at the scene, with scavengers attempting to collect scrap metal from the remains.
Banks Resume Operations Despite Market Slowdown
Contrary to speculation that financial institutions might suspend operations due to the unrest, all commercial banks along Mission Road were open to customers. However, traders at Uromi market confirmed that business activities remained sluggish, with many planning to close early due to the low turnout.
Residents Justify Mob Action, Cite Prolonged Security Failures
Many residents continue to insist that the slain travelers were not mere hunters, raising questions about the large sum of new naira notes allegedly found on them. They argue that years of unchecked kidnappings in Uromi forced some locals to take matters into their own hands.
One resident, Olumese, explained:
“When kidnappers are caught and handed over to the police, they often walk free within days or months. This puts the vigilantes who capture them in danger, as the criminals eventually return to retaliate. While mob justice is not the right approach, people felt helpless due to the authorities’ failure to act.”
Edo Government Takes Steps to De-escalate Tensions
Edo State Secretary to the Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, confirmed that 11 out of the 27 attacked travelers were rescued, with three currently receiving medical treatment. The others were transported back to Kano by the state government.
He condemned the extrajudicial killings but emphasized that the state is actively working to address security concerns. According to him, the illegal vigilante group allegedly involved in the mob killings had previously been suspended due to misconduct.
Ikhilor highlighted the government’s efforts to improve security, including the procurement of 75 new Hilux vehicles and power motorcycles for law enforcement agencies, which have been instrumental in recent successes such as the swift rescue of a kidnapped traditional ruler in Uromi.
Northern Group Warns of Retaliation, Calls Northerners to Return Home
In response to the killings, the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has issued a stern warning about potential reprisals across northern states and Abuja. The group urged all northerners residing in the south to return home for their safety, citing repeated attacks on their people and destruction of properties.
In a statement signed by Chairman Ali Muhammad, the CNF condemned what it sees as the failure of authorities to protect northerners outside their region. The group stressed that unless decisive action is taken against the perpetrators, retaliatory attacks would be inevitable.
“Northerners must return home following the brutal murder of their people in Uromi. This is not the first time such an attack has occurred. If the authorities continue to neglect their duty, we will be left with no choice but to defend ourselves,” the statement read.
The forum called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, along with compensation for victims’ families, insisting that justice must prevail to prevent further violence.
Conclusion
As Uromi attempts to recover from the tragic incident, fear and uncertainty still dominate the atmosphere. While the Edo State government has pledged to de-escalate tensions and improve security, allegations of police extortion and arbitrary arrests have compounded the crisis. The looming threat of reprisal attacks from the north further raises concerns about the broader implications of the killings, highlighting Nigeria’s deep-seated ethnic and security challenges.
