Herders kill couple after receiving N25M ransom in Edo

DDM News

Tensions have intensified in Uromi, Edo State, following a ransom payment made for the release of a kidnapped couple.

Brown Okojie, a local resident, shared a shocking account with Diaspora digital media (DDM) revealing the grim details.

A ransom of N25 million was paid to herders for the release of the couple.

Despite receiving the payment, the herders killed the couple and abandoned their bodies along Ubiaja Road.

The incident occurred just a day before a mob lynching took place, where 16 individuals were killed under suspicion of being kidnappers.

This series of events has highlighted the growing insecurity in the region, where residents have been living in constant fear due to the prevalence of violent crime.

On the same day as the couple’s murder, a woman paid N5 million to secure her sister’s release from the herders.

While the initial victim was released, the herders reportedly detained the woman who had brought the ransom money, further showcasing the lawlessness present in the area.

This situation underscores the worsening security conditions in Uromi and surrounding areas, where kidnappings and other violent crimes have become tragically common.

The Fulani herders operating in the region have been linked to a series of violent incidents, including abductions, rapes, and the destruction of farmlands.

These actions have created a deep sense of fear and anger among local communities, who feel that they are constantly under threat.

Many farmers have lost their livelihoods due to the herders’ destruction of crops and livestock, further exacerbating tensions between nomadic groups and the settled population.

The impact of these crimes goes beyond financial losses.

Local residents feel increasingly vulnerable and helpless, as it seems that the perpetrators face little to no consequences.

Okojie’s account sheds light on how residents, desperate to recover loved ones, have resorted to paying substantial ransoms to free them from the hands of the kidnappers.

However, even after paying these ransoms, there is no guarantee of freedom, as the herders may continue to hold victims hostage or demand more money.

On March 27, tensions reached a boiling point when 27 individuals were detained on suspicion of kidnapping.

Some of the detainees claimed to be licensed hunters, but this did little to calm the fears of the community.

Given the rising wave of violence, the residents, already on edge, acted swiftly and violently, leading to the brutal lynching of 16 of the suspects.

This mob action is a tragic reflection of the widespread fear and lack of trust in the authorities.

The swift and violent response from the community speaks to the desperation and frustration felt by the people of Uromi.

The events in Edo State highlight the urgent need for stronger security measures to restore peace in the region.

With lawlessness running rampant, residents feel abandoned by the authorities, and many are beginning to lose faith in the government’s ability to protect them.

The failure to address the escalating violence has left communities struggling to cope with the ever-present danger of kidnapping and other crimes.

Until the government takes decisive action to address these security concerns, the cycle of violence and fear will likely continue to worsen.

The situation in Uromi serves as a grim reminder of the state of insecurity affecting many parts of Nigeria, with local communities feeling increasingly helpless and under siege.

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