Learn from Makinde, arrest, prosecute Uromi suspects speedily — Reno Omokri tells Edo govt

Former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri has urged the Edo State Government to speedily arrest and prosecute those responsible for the recent killings of at least sixteen Northerners in the Uromi area of the state.

Omokri, who stated this in a post on his X handle, said delaying justice could escalate tensions, even if financial compensation is offered to the victims’ families.

He said that the case should be treated as an urgent priority, saying, “The trial should start immediately. This is more or less an open-and-shut case. There is video evidence.”

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He wrote, “The most effective way to calm the North after the Uromi killings of at least sixteen Northerners is for the Edo State Government to speedily and publicly try those responsible. Failure to do that, even if financial compensation is paid to the victims’ families, will lead to a heightening of tension.

“The trial should start immediately. This is more or less an open-and-shut case. There is video evidence. “

Omokri, therefore, urged the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to take decisive action and prevent any form of retaliatory killings.

He implored Okpebholo to use the approach of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, recalling how Makinde swiftly handled the case of Oodua Nation agitators who stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat on April 12, 2024.

“The Edo State Government may want to take a cue from Governor Seyi Makinde’s expedited arrest and prosecution of those Odua activists who stormed the secretariat.

“After Odua nation agitators attempted to violently take over the Oyo State Government secretariat on Friday, April 12, 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde did not wait for any Federal Government intervention or call on the Nigerian Army to provide internal security. He used state forces to arrest the perpetrators within hours. The next day, Governor Seyi Makinde destroyed their houses. On the third day, they were in court. Today, they are now special guests of the Oyo State Government at Agodi prison.

“Governor Makinde repeated the same feat after the December 18, 2024 Ibadan Stampede, even when those involved were VIPs. Within 96 hours, eight people who were arrested were facing charges, including Olori Naomi Silekunola.

“I am a Southerner who has lived in the North. Words can only calm them down if they are backed up with action. It has been over 96 hours. Get these men before a judge as soon as possible, and the restive North will be calmed.

“Let us learn from our history. The best predictor of the future is the past. We must do everything legally possible to prevent retaliatory killings,” he stated.

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