Residents of Uromi have accused the police of making indiscriminate arrests and engaging in extortion.

Many residents in Uromi, Edo State, remain uncertain about their future as life slowly resumes. This sentiment was particularly evident on Wednesday, market day, when Mission Road, typically bustling with activity, was noticeably quiet.

Many young people expressed frustration over the police’s response to last Thursday’s incident, alleging extortion where individuals are randomly arrested and coerced into paying large amounts of money. Reports suggested that the police were demanding fees of over 1 million Naira from those caught in their net.

One case involved a young man who had just returned from abroad and was said to have transferred money to secure his release. Residents like Prince Eugene Olumese indicated that fear of arrest has led to a decrease in public gatherings, with both innocent and guilty individuals facing police scrutiny. In response, the police asked individuals to provide evidence of any extortion claims for investigation.

stated that without proof, they could neither confirm nor deny such allegations. The atmosphere in Uromi remained tense; many businesses were closed, and community members were wary of reprisal attacks or police arrests. Despite speculation that banks might not fully reopen, all commercial banks were operational on the first working day after the Ramadan holiday, though the market was still quiet. Community members expressed skepticism about the victims of the recent incident, questioning their involvement and the large sums of new currency found with them. Olumese emphasized the risks of vigilantism due to the perceived ineffectiveness of the police in handling kidnappers, stressing the need for a safer environment for the town’s youth.