— The People’s Insight
UROMI, EDO STATE — A wave of unrest has swept through Uromi community in Edo State following the Edo State Police Command’s decision to disarm local vigilante groups.
The order, issued by the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has triggered protests that have entered their second day, raising fresh concerns over the state’s fragile security architecture.
The aggrieved vigilantes, many of whom have served their communities for decades, say the decision endangers lives and undermines local security efforts.
“We are here until they answer us. I’ve been a vigilante for 21 years,” one protester told *The People’s Insight*. “They trained us, certified us, and now they’re treating us like criminals.”
According to the protesters, the Edo State Government had formally trained them in arms handling, tactical operations, and community security protocols. Certificates were issued upon completion of the training, and for years, they claim to have worked hand-in-hand with local Divisional Police Officers to combat crime.
However, tensions escalated when Commissioner Agbonika, upon assuming office, launched what he described as a “comprehensive overhaul” of Edo’s security structure. This included a directive to retrieve all weapons from non-state actors — a move vigilantes say blindsided them.
To their dismay, shortly after voluntarily surrendering their arms, the Commissioner went on live television to announce that over 2,000 weapons had been recovered from local volunteer security outfits. The gesture, though framed as a win for law and order, has left many vigilantes feeling exposed and betrayed.
“They trained us how to shoot, dive, and defend our communities. We handed over the guns respectfully because we believe in Edo’s peace. But now we feel like targets,” another protester lamented.
The situation reached a boiling point following a gruesome incident in which a group of vigilantes intercepted and lynched suspected gun runners in Uromi, believed to be of northern origin. The clash reportedly resulted in the deaths of 16 people, drawing sharp criticism from the Arewa Consultative Forum and other northern groups.
With tensions running high and protests persisting, security analysts warn that the disarmament, though well-intentioned, may have inadvertently created a security vacuum that could be exploited by criminal elements.
As the Edo State Government and police hierarchy scramble to contain the fallout, residents remain on edge — caught in the crossfire of a complex battle between reform and grassroots security.
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