Uromi: Residents desert towns over fears of reprisal, arrest
BENIN CITY—Residents in the communities surrounding Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction in Uromi, Edo State, have abandoned their homes due to fears of retaliation and arrests by security forces, following the mob lynching of 16 travelers in the area last Thursday.
In response, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State assured in Kano State yesterday that justice will be served for the victims of the mob attack.
During his visit to Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), he stated that the 14 individuals apprehended in connection with the incident would soon be transferred to Abuja for further investigation.
Additionally, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent judicial panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the killings.
Reports indicate that residents of Uromi and nearby areas have ceased farming activities, with many seeking safety in neighboring towns.
Some locals who spoke with Vanguard recounted the events that led to the mob violence. One resident, who identified himself as Monday, explained: “The vigilante group received reports from areas along Old Ilushi Road, indicating that the travelers were armed.
“When they reached Uromi, the vigilantes instructed them to disembark, but the travelers refused, resulting in a confrontation. One of them brandished a knife, which led the vigilantes to raise an alarm, accusing them of being kidnappers.
“While no one condones the mob's actions, those involved have fled, and innocent individuals have been apprehended.
“On Saturday, police detained a young man riding a GLK motorcycle near Opere Secondary School, where a wedding was taking place. He claimed to be unaware of the events from the previous day.
The region remains largely uninhabited, with only a few motorbikes traversing the area. However, around noon on Monday, law enforcement returned to apprehend additional individuals. The community has been suffering from a continuous wave of kidnappings perpetrated by hunters and herders from the northern regions of the country.
In the most recent case, a young woman was abducted in front of her home on Sunday, March 30, 2025. As of 2 PM today, her captors had not yet demanded a ransom.
It has also come to light that several residents, particularly young people, have been discreetly leaving the town due to fears of retaliation and arrests by security forces.
Most residents who chose to remain anonymous indicated that while they do not condone the killings, the victims were believed to be kidnappers rather than hunters, as has been publicly suggested.
They clarified that the victims were seen near Ubiaja, the administrative center of Esan South-East, which is in proximity to Uromi.
Ubiaja is also grappling with the same kidnapping crisis, and it is reported that the victims boarded a truck with their weapons and cash.
Another local, who referred to himself as Mr. Akhere, stated: “While we do not endorse the killings—since two wrongs do not make a right—these individuals are not hunters as claimed, because the hunters we have encountered typically travel with dogs.
“Our local vigilantes have been pursuing these suspected kidnappers. It has been challenging for everyone, and on that unfortunate day, these individuals were spotted near Ubiaja, where they flagged down a truck coming from the east and boarded it with their firearms and what appeared to be large amounts of money.
“I believe the mistake made by the vigilantes in Uromi was not turning them over to the police, opting instead for self-help. Many individuals in the vicinity have been victims of kidnappings, either directly or indirectly.”
We denounce the unlawful actions; however, the government has been sluggish in addressing the issue of these kidnappers. They have been responsible for the deaths, injuries, and assaults on our community members, particularly targeting women in agricultural areas.
Fleeing Residents
Another individual, who identified himself as Peter, mentioned that his cousin has been actively working to secure the town, but on this specific day, he was absent.
“He returned to town after the incident, but upon witnessing the arrests taking place, he felt compelled to escape to avoid being detained himself.
“Others have also left the town out of fear of potential reprisals, as we heard there was a state of panic in Ekpoma earlier today (yesterday).”
Panic in Ekpoma
Reports indicate that there was chaos in Ekpoma Market yesterday, triggered by rumors that the Fulani were planning to attack the town, which is located not far from Uromi. Motorists reportedly turned around upon hearing that the market was at risk of being assaulted. However, it was confirmed that security forces were promptly deployed to the area to restore order.
My Brother Was Killed on His Farm
Reflecting on her ordeal with kidnappers in the region, 30-year-old Jenny Osajie recounted that her elder brother was abducted while heading to the farm and was subsequently killed when a ransom of N5 million could not be met.
“They were so audacious that they called us to retrieve my brother’s lifeless body, and we indeed found it at the location they specified. I am a Christian and have entrusted everything to God, yet there is widespread anger due to the actions of these individuals.
“Why has the government not responded more decisively to our cries regarding the threats posed by herdsmen and kidnappers who have been terrorizing us? Is there a bias within the government?”
Justice Will Prevail — Okpebholo
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo of Edo State assured the public yesterday that justice will be served for the 16 northern travelers who lost their lives in Uromi.
He provided reassurance during his leadership of a delegation that visited Kano to express condolences to the Kano State government and its citizens regarding the recent incident.
The governor mentioned that, to date, 14 individuals have been apprehended in relation to the event, stating, “It felt as though I was personally affected by the incident in Uromi. I received the news late at night, and by 4 a.m., I was prepared to travel to Uromi.
“I am here to express my sympathies to the government and the people of Kano State. We have made significant strides, and I assure you that the President is deeply concerned. He acted swiftly and decisively, instructing the service chiefs to pursue those responsible for the killings. I can guarantee that justice will be served.
“We have arrested approximately 14 suspects linked to the murders. The Inspector-General of Police has instructed the Deputy Inspector-General and the Assistant Inspector-General at the force headquarters to oversee the investigation. Following the holiday, these individuals will be transferred to Abuja for further questioning and additional arrests will be pursued.”
In response, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf condemned any acts of retaliation, asserting that such actions do not resolve the tragic situation and emphasizing the need for the prosecution of the offenders.
“Retaliation is not a solution, as it harms innocent individuals. As leaders, we must unite to combat this unfortunate behavior. People should not take the law into their own hands, as it is unconstitutional and must be avoided. We, as leaders, must be seen as protectors of our communities. We assure you of our full cooperation in working with security agencies to identify the culprits.
“We expect to see the perpetrators publicly displayed. This would greatly comfort the affected families.
“We urge the security agencies to ensure that they are paraded before the public, so it is clear who committed these crimes. They must be brought to justice in court, facing the consequences of their actions. The families deserve compensation, and I trust that you will fulfill this commitment.”
Governor Yusuf urged the public to remain patient, assuring them that all necessary measures are being taken to secure justice for the victims.
In addition, Governor Okpebholo is anticipated to visit the families of the victims in Torankarawa, located in the Bunkure Local Government area of Kano State.
On the same day, a large group of distressed youths and women gathered in Bunkure, calling for swift justice for the victims.
Carrying placards with messages such as “Hunters are not criminals,” “Hunting is business, not crime,” “Justice for our traveling hunters,” and “We need speedy dispensation of justice,” the demonstrators displayed their signs to Governor Okpebholo's convoy, which included Governor Abba Yusuf, as they made their way to visit the bereaved families.
During his visit to Torankawa village, where the affected families reside, Governor Okpebholo assured that compensation would be provided for the victims' families and committed to ensuring that justice is served.
Governor Yusuf also promised to provide financial assistance and food supplies to the families, emphasizing that the state government will persist in its efforts to achieve justice for the victims.
Additionally, Governor Okpebholo met with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin in Abuja, revealing that the 14 suspects currently in custody will be transferred to Abuja for further investigation. While at the Deputy S
