Uromi In Turmoil: Fearful Residents Abandon Homes Amid Heightened Police Activity

This mass exodus follows the brutal lynching of 16 travelers by a mob last Thursday. Governor Monday Okpebholo, currently in Kano State, condemned the killings and pledged justice for the victims. He announced that 14 individuals arrested in connection with the incident will be transferred to Abuja for further investigation. During his trip, the governor also met with Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North).

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for the creation of an independent judicial panel to investigate the tragic events thoroughly.

Vanguard reports that many residents of Uromi have ceased going to their farms and are seeking refuge in nearby towns. Fear of arbitrary arrests and potential retaliation has gripped the community, especially among the youth, who are fleeing in large numbers.

A resident, Monday, recounted the events leading up to the mob attack, explaining that the vigilante group, acting on a tip-off, confronted the travelers near Uromi after they were suspected of carrying weapons. When asked to step down, one of the travelers reportedly brandished a knife, triggering the violent response from the crowd.

Although no one justifies the killings, Monday stated that those responsible for the mob action have fled, while innocent people are being arrested. He cited an incident where a man was arrested near Opere Secondary School during a wedding ceremony, despite his claims of having no knowledge of the previous day’s events.

According to Monday, the area remains eerily quiet, with only a few motorcycles seen on the roads. He reported that further arrests were made on Monday, with residents living in constant fear. The community, which has long been terrorized by kidnappers believed to be herders and northern hunters, is on edge.

He also shared a recent kidnapping incident: “A young lady was abducted right in front of her home on March 30. As of 2 p.m. today, there’s been no contact from her abductors.”

Most residents, speaking anonymously, expressed that while they do not support mob justice, they believed the victims were suspected kidnappers, not hunters as initially reported. Another resident, Mr. Akhere, emphasized that the victims were not hunters, as hunters typically carry dogs. He noted that the vigilantes had been tracking suspected kidnappers and that the victims were seen boarding a truck with firearms and large sums of cash. Akhere explained that the community’s frustration with the slow government response to crime and violence led to the mob action.