Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area in Edo State, was engulfed in chaos yesterday as a violent outbreak resulted in multiple fatalities and significant property damage. Reports indicate that several individuals were killed, and the local police station, along with all vehicles inside, was set ablaze. This violence was allegedly sparked by accusations that suspected criminal elements from the Fulani community were involved in kidnappings and murders, specifically for organ harvesting, with claims of police protection for the perpetrators.
The unrest stemmed from the unresolved case of a young boy who had been kidnapped weeks earlier. Despite a ransom being paid, he remained missing. Residents reported that local youths managed to trace the boy’s phone to a suspect who was subsequently arrested and handed over to the police. This suspect allegedly led the youths to the head of the Hausa/Fulani community in the area.
Frustrated with the police’s handling of the situation, community members stormed the police station, taking the suspect with them. This suspect reportedly confessed to the youths that numerous kidnapped victims had been murdered and buried in shallow graves after parts of their bodies were harvested.
Upon digging in the compound of the Hausa/Fulani leader, who had fled with his family, the youths discovered the decomposing body of the young boy and several other bones believed to be human remains. Enraged by this discovery, the youths retaliated by burning down the leader’s residence and various business establishments owned by Hausa/Fulani individuals, resulting in further casualties.
One youth expressed the community’s frustration, stating, “Enough is enough, this must stop. The police kill our children and still collect money from us; these kidnappers will kidnap our children, collect money, and still kill them.” He lamented that ransoms ranging from N2.5 million to N3 million were often paid without guarantees of the victims’ safety.
In response to the violence, the chairperson of the local council, Mrs. Benedicta Atoh, was reportedly too shocked to comment, according to aides. Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 5, Arungwa Udo, and the state’s Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, visited the area to restore order and conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the situation.
The events in Agenebode highlight the escalating tensions and fears surrounding security in the region, reflecting a growing crisis that needs urgent attention from both law enforcement and government authorities.