The palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi on Sunday condemned the extra-judicial killing of 16 travellers who are claimed to be hunters. Still, it lamented the poor insecurity in the area and called for establishing a military base and mobile police force unit.
The statement, which has been circulating in social media while condemning the act, also sympathised with the people of Uromi who have been victims of criminal activities, including kidnappings and extrajudicial killings.
Though unsigned, when contacted, the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRH Anselm Eidenojie, said he authorised the press statement.
Corroborating him, the Palace Secretary, Gregory Omonikhobhio, said, “The palace approved the press release after a council meeting, and the head of the council is the king.”
Part of the statement read, “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. His Majesty also sympathises with his people, who 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 indicates the failure of proper security formulation in Uromi.”
The statement said, “Uromi is no longer just a town—it is 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.
“His Royal Majesty, The Ojuromi of Uromi, therefore makes an urgent appeal to the Federal Government to approve and officially take over the community-initiated Mopol Barracks, which was generously built and donated by the people of Uromi, both at home and abroad, to 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 the community has implemented. 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 Palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi calls for immediate and strategic intervention. We strongly emphasise that justice must be served for the recent killings. Still, at the same time, 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 a practical security framework.
“His Royal Majesty, The Ojuromi of Uromi, once again calls on all relevant authorities to take immediate action. Security is a fundamental right of every citizen, and Uromi must not be left behind in the quest for peace, safety, and development.”
