Edo Govt, PDP trade words over security issues
Islamic council calls for calm
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin
A high-powered delegation from Kano State has been dispatched to Benin City, Edo State’s capital, to engage with officials of the state following the mob killings of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, most of whom were reportedly from Kano.
The State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, confirmed the development on Sunday, nothing that the delegation would work closely with Edo State authorities to investigate the incident and seek redress for the victims.
The decision is coming amid escalating tensions between the Edo State Government and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who have been engaged in heated exchanges over responsibility for the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Council of Nigeria has issued a public appeal for calm, urging restraint from all parties to prevent further violence and foster reconciliation.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State yesterday, approved the delegation’s immediate departure. The team is expected to first meet with Hausa community leaders in Edo State. They will later join the investigation team, gather relevant information and suggest solution.
The victims who were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano through Uromi were lynched by illegal security personnel.
The government has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid actions that might increase already existing tensions.
Kano officials have been in contact with Edo State authorities and security agencies. They are pursuing diplomatic and legal measures. The Edo Government has offered condolences to victims’ families and promised a continued efforts to ensure justice.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have traded words over the rising insecurity in the state.
The controversy intensified after the unwarranted killing of travelers in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area. While the PDP accused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of losing control of security, the government dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP Publicity Secretary Chris Osa Nehikhare expressed deep concern over what he described as a breakdown of law and order under the Okpebholo administration.
“The recent classification of the perpetrators as an illegal vigilante group only highlights the government’s failure to establish a coherent security strategy,” Nehikhare said.
He also faulted the government’s response to the February 5 mutiny by members of the Edo Security Corps, saying it was an early warning sign of the administration’s inefficiencies.
“Rather than address the concerns of the security corps members, the government ignored them. Now, Edo people are paying the price with their lives,” he added.
Nehikhare further alleged that unregulated vigilante groups were freely operating in the state without oversight, leading to cases of extra-judicial killings.
“It is distressing that the government allowed armed groups to operate without any form of supervision,” he stated.
The PDP demanded an overhaul of the Edo State Security Corps, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the Uromi killings, and the immediate deployment of federal security agencies to restore order.
The party also proposed a security summit involving traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, and opposition parties to develop a new strategy.
However, the Edo State Government swiftly rejected the PDP’s claims, calling them a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at political propaganda.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, the government insisted that it had taken decisive steps to address insecurity.
“The suspension of Edo State Security Corps Commander, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), and the classification of the attackers as an illegal vigilante group demonstrate this government’s zero tolerance for lawlessness,” Itua said. He accused the PDP of attempting to exploit a tragic event for political gain.
Itua also refuted the opposition party’s claim that the government ignored the February 5 2025 protest by security corps members.
“The administration has been proactive in reviewing the operational framework of the corps to prevent future lapses,” he said. He emphasized that the government had prioritized security through enhanced collaboration with security agencies, strengthening community policing structures, and implementing a multi-layered security approach.
“Unlike past administrations that ignored security lapses, this government is taking concrete action,” Itua argued.
Governor Okpebholo reassured Edo residents that his administration remained committed to their safety. “Edo people should remain calm and support ongoing security efforts,” the governor urged.
He dismissed the PDP’s call for federal intervention as unnecessary, saying, “The state government is capable of handling its internal security challenges without external interference.”
He also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to maintain peace and stability despite what he described as attempts by the opposition to politicize security matters
In a related development, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, has appealed for calm following the recent killings in Uromi. It urged residents, especially the Hausa community, to resist any temptation for retaliation.
Chairman of NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, condemned the brutal killing of travelers heading north from Rivers State. In a statement, he described the act as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and justice.
The council noted that mob injustice, triggered by false accusations, was fueled by ignorance of the right to a fair hearing. It called for immediate and thorough investigations, urging authorities to take swift action against those responsible.
“We condemn the horrific events in Udune Efandion, Uromi, where innocent travelers from Northern Nigeria lost their lives due to mob violence. Authorities must act decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement read.
NSCIA acknowledged the pain and anger within the Hausa community but urged them to remain calm and peaceful. It extended condolences to the victims’ families and praised Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response in calming tensions.
The council called for national unity, urging Nigerians to avoid distrust in the face of rising violent crimes. It also stressed the need for vigilance groups to adhere strictly to the rule of engagement to prevent future tragedies. “We must build a society where dialogue and understanding prevail,” the statement concluded.
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