The Ojuromi of Uromi, HRH Anselm Eidenojie on Sunday condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers said to be hunters in Uromi, Edo State.
Eidenojie also lamented the poor state of insecurity in the area and called for the establishment of a military base and mobile police force unit in the area.
While condemning the killings, the monarch in statement he authorized, also sympathised with the people of Uromi who have been victims of criminal activities including kidnappings and extrajudicial killings.
The Palace Secretary, Gregory Omonikhobhio said the statement followed a meeting of the traditional council presided over by its head, the Ojuromi.
“The Palace of His Royal Majesty, the Ojuromi of Uromi, strongly condemns the tragic and unfortunate killing of travellers within his domain.
“The Ojuromi of Uromi deeply regrets this act of jungle justice and extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people of Kano, and all affected communities,” the monarch said.
The monarch also sympathised with the people of the community, noting that they have “suffered at the hands of criminal elements, enduring kidnappings and extrajudicial killings that have plagued Uromi and Esanland for far too long.
“It is important to recognise the root causes of this distressing event. For years, the people of Uromi have cried out for help, urging both the state and federal governments to address the worsening security situation in Uromi and the greater Esanland. This incident is a clear indication of the failure of proper security formulation in Uromi.”
The statement added that Uromi is no longer just a town, but a growing city and one of the fastest-developing communities in southern Nigeria.
“With this growth comes an increasing population and the presence of various individuals, some of whom have contributed to insecurity.
“The current Uromi Divisional Police Station is no longer sufficient to safeguard lives and property, and this recent act of lawlessness highlights the urgent need for a Rapid Response Team, paramilitary presence, and a military forward base in Uromi to ensure proper security.
“The fact that such a barbaric incident occurred over several hours without any visible police intervention is deeply alarming. It exposes the grave security lapses in the region and the dire need for immediate and effective security reinforcements,” the statement noted.
The royal father appealed to the federal government to urgently approve and officially take over the community-initiated Mopol Barracks, which was built and donated by the people of Uromi for the Nigerian Police Force.
“This facility is intended to provide an extra layer of security, yet it remains underutilised. We also call on the Edo State Government to collaborate with local stakeholders to facilitate the official approval of the Esan MOPOL Barracks as an immediate step toward securing our people.
“Furthermore, we urge the government to deploy more security personnel and leverage the already existing security structures that the community has put in place.
“The worsening insecurity has left our people unable to access their farmlands, threatening livelihoods and increasing tensions. If nothing is done, such unfortunate incidents may continue to occur,” the monarch said.
Further on the recent killings, the Palace strongly emphasised that justice must be served, stressing also that proactive security measures must be implemented to prevent further bloodshed in Uromi and Esanland.
“The people of Uromi are peace-loving and law-abiding. His Majesty strongly discourages jungle justice in any form, as it is against the laws of our land and the principles of justice. However, we can no longer stand by while our people and visitors to our land continue to suffer due to the absence of an effective security framework.
He stressed that security is a fundamental right of every citizen, “and Uromi must not be left behind in the quest for peace, safety, and development.”
