By DADA AYOKHAI
In what seemed like a knee-jerk reaction to the recent Uromi killings, Edo State Governor Sen. Monday Okpeholo has ordered the immediate suspension of the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Frida Ibadin (retd).
The suspension follows the shock and outrage surrounding the murder of 11 Northern-bound passengers in Uromi.
The suspension of CP Friday Ibadin is the fallout of the outrage that has trailed the gruesome killing of the “itinerant hunters”
CP ibadin paid the supreme price. The blame for the heinous act had been dumped on his doorstep, prompting Gov Okpebholo to take action to ease tensions and address public sentiment.
The killings have sparked widespread condemnation across the country, particularly among Northern leaders and groups.
President Tinubu also joined the chorus of voices condemning the brutal murders of the Northern-bound travellers.
Reports indicate that the travellers were intercepted in the Uromi area of Esan North local government.
Despite their protestations and pleas for mercy, claiming they were returning to the North after a hunting trip, they were lynched by a mob with the complicity of local vigilante members.
Caught off guard by this heinous act, credible sources claim Gov Okpeholo had little choice but to take decisive action.
The governor’s predicament was further complicated by the reactions from Northern leaders and groups regarding the tragic death of their kinsmen
On the back of the strong voices of resentment from the Northern leaders and their groups, the federal government was also breathing hard on the state government
The concern of the federal government hinged on the fear of a possible escalation of the situation
In a statement, the federal government specifically requested the governor and the relevant security agencies to conduct “swift and thorough investigations to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
The statement was signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement regarding the suspension of CP Friday Ibadin was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Umar Musa Ikhilor.
The statement described the killings as “barbaric and unfortunate” and also pledged to take the lead in the manhunt for the perpetrators, as directed by the federal government.
Alongside CP Ibadin, the activities of other vigilante groups in the state were placed on abeyance
Labelling them as “illegal”, the state government accused them of operating covertly under various guises
According to the store government, the decision to suspend CP Ibadin as well as the other vigilante groups followed a careful analysis of the preliminary report on the tragic incident.
While the statement stopped short of directly accusing the local vigilante groups of involvement in the gruesome killing of travellers bound for the north on March 27, it noted that they were operating illegally, insisting they have neither been profiled nor registered by the Edo State Security Corps.
Furthermore, the government distanced itself from the actions of these vigilante groups, stating that their conduct does not reflect the values, principles, and character of the Gov. Okpebholo administration, nor the objectives outlined in the Edo Security Corps Governance Law.
Currently, about 14 individuals have been arrested, and investigations into the killings are ongoing.
An intensive manhunt for additional suspects involved in this reprehensible act is also in progress, coordinated by a special team established by the Inspector General of Police.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens to move freely and engage in lawful business across the country.
The government also said that it is in direct communication with the families of the victims, the Kano State Government, and community leaders from the areas where most of the victims originated.
Consequently, the state government urged all parties to remain calm, reiterating its commitment to ensuring that justice is pursued efficiently and transparently.
So far, at least seven of the murdered victims have been identified.
Uromi Killings: Okpeholo Sacrifices Edo State Security Corps Commander,Ibadin
