Located in the heart of Edo State, the town of Agenebode was the scene of unheard-of violence yesterday in broad daylight. Residents witnessed an unprecedented tragedy, marked by loss of life and large-scale vandalism. Several individuals were reported to have been killed and burnt, while the local police station and all vehicles inside were set ablaze. An apocalyptic scene, motivated by allegations that individuals of Fulani origin, suspected of kidnapping and killing residents to harvest and sell their organs, were allegedly protected by the security forces.
The trigger for this tragedy was a few weeks ago when a young boy was allegedly abducted. Despite the payment of a ransom, his release has not happened. The youths of the community then set about tracing the victim’s phone, leading to the arrest of a suspect, who was later handed over to the police. It turns out that the latter was linked to the leader of the Hausa/Fulani community in the area.
Dissatisfied with the police handling of the case, youths from the community stormed the police station demanding more answers. The suspect, taken to the house of the Hausa/Fulani leader, reportedly confessed to having participated in several kidnappings, followed by the murder of the victims and the sale of their organs. Enraged, the mob exhumed the decomposing body of the young man in the Fulani leader’s yard, revealing human bones.
In a fit of anger, the youths set fire to the residence and businesses belonging to other young members of the Hausa/Fulani community, causing the death of several of them. The police station was also set ablaze, a sign of the frustration and anger built up over time towards the authorities. The words of a revolting youth resonate loudly: “Enough is enough. The police are killing our children and extorting money from us. These kidnappers are taking our children, taking money and killing them.”
Faced with this escalation of violence, the council chairperson, Mrs. Benedicta Atoh, was too distraught to react, leaving an atmosphere of shock hanging over the region. The Zone 5 Commander, Arungwa Udo, as well as the State Police Commissioner, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, went to the scene to try to restore order and take stock of the situation.
When asked about the events, the Edo State police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, responded succinctly through a text message, avoiding providing further details for now.
The recent events in Agenebode are evidence of a community in crisis, where trust in authorities is deeply shaken. This tragedy exposes the failings of a dysfunctional security system and raises critical questions about citizen protection and justice.In the face of these challenges, it is crucial that adequate measures are taken to restore peace and confidence within society.