From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Pandemonium broke out in one of the northern settlements around Ekpoma Local Government Area of Edo State as security operatives raided the community, suspecting that some residents were harbouring kidnappers and other criminals.
The Triumph on Thursday gathered that a joint team of security personnel, including military, police, and vigilante operatives, descended on the settlement around 4:00 a.m., ransacking homes and arresting community members over allegations that were unknown to the victims.
Their thatched homes were vandalised, and some residents were reportedly injured during the operation.
An eyewitness, Mansur Abubakar, told our correspondent: “After we had just finished our sahur meal, we saw a combined team of military, police, and vigilante operatives descending on us.
“They started beating some people; some were injured for no reason. Anyone who asked why was immediately beaten or arrested, so many of us ran into the bush to hide for safety.”
Abubakar added, “When we demanded to know what was happening, we were told we were accused of harbouring kidnappers and other criminals.”
Further inquiries made at the Edo State Police Headquarters in Benin revealed that the command was not aware of the raid and did not send any combined security team to the settlement.
Efforts by our correspondent to speak with the Hausa community leader proved abortive, as he expressed fear over the possible aftermath of granting media interviews. Many community members remain in police custody for further interrogation.
Comrade Nura Mukhtar Kanya of the Human Rights Network, a human rights activist, told our correspondent, “The residents were innocently attacked due to a wrong perception by the combined security operatives.
“We reported the issue to the authorities so that incidents like the Uromi Junction tragedy do not recur. I urge authorities to adopt more proactive measures to ensure citizens’ safety and harmonious living.”
He commended the country’s security system for its diligence but emphasized the need to strengthen measures to protect lives and property in all communities.
