Uromi killings: Edo CP douses tension, says no reprisal attack is expected

The new Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, on Thursday said there would be no reprisal attacks following the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

He gave the assurance during his visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.

Agbonika said the state governor has played a major role in calming tensions that could have arisen from the killings by leading a delegation to the North to visit the families of the deceased.

“I can tell you that a lot of measures have been taken regarding the Uromi case, and we are not expecting any reprisal attacks.

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“The governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has done a lot regarding the Uromi case. When I first arrived, we visited Uromi together.

“Before that, he had gone to Kano State to console the people and to appeal to them to talk to their people in Edo State not to carry out any attacks.

“In fact, I can tell you that due to his visit, he succeeded in convincing the governor of Kano State to come to Edo State.

“As a result, the deputy governor of Kano State visited Edo on behalf of the Kano State Government.

“We went to Uromi and engaged with all the stakeholders, including the Hausa and Esan communities.

“The visit and other steps taken by the governor have helped to appease the people and set the record straight.

“We are confident that peace will be sustained. In addition to Uromi, I visited neighboring communities with a significant northern population.

“I went as far as Igara and Auchi, where I met with the communities. I told them that, despite what happened, we must continue to live in peace.

“I have been assured by their leaders that they will continue to coexist peacefully as they always have. So, I believe the issue has been resolved,” Agbonika stated.

While assuring the people of the state of adequate policing, the police chief called for the public to volunteer information that could help the police curb crime and criminality.

“As part of my strategy, I am deploying all police officers in the state. Everyone is expected to patrol and target criminal hideouts.

“We are taking the fight everywhere, but I need the support and cooperation of the people. Please give us the benefit of the doubt and watch what will happen in the next three months,” Agbonika added.

On his part, the NUJ Chairman, Edo State Council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, assured the new Commissioner of Police of the union’s support in the fight against crime in the state.

He, however, urged the police to always provide timely information to journalists to enable them to do their work effectively.

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE