After 16 hunters headed for Kano were killed in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State’s new Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, said on Thursday that there would be no retaliatory assaults.
He made the promise when he visited the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Agbonika claimed that by organizing a delegation to travel to the North and meet the relatives of the dead, the state governor has significantly contributed to reducing tensions that would have resulted from the murders.
“I can tell you that a lot of measures have been taken regarding the Uromi case, and we are not expecting any reprisal attacks.
“The governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has done a lot regarding the Uromi case. When I first arrived, we visited Uromi together.”
“Before that, he had gone to Kano State to console the people and to appeal to them to talk to their people in Edo State not to carry out any attacks.”
“In fact, I can tell you that due to his visit, he succeeded in convincing the governor of Kano State to come to Edo State. As a result, the deputy governor of Kano State visited Edo on behalf of the Kano State Government.”
“We went to Uromi and engaged with all the stakeholders, including the Hausa and Esan communities. The visit and other steps taken by the governor have helped to appease the people and set the record straight.”
“We are confident that peace will be sustained. In addition to Uromi, I visited neighboring communities with a significant northern population.”
“I went as far as Igara and Auchi, where I met with the communities. I told them that, despite what happened, we must continue to live in peace.”
“I have been assured by their leaders that they will continue to coexist peacefully as they always have. So, I believe the issue has been resolved,” Agbonika stated.
The police chief urged the public to provide information that may assist the police in reducing crime and criminality while reassuring the state’s citizens that there would be appropriate policing.
“As part of my strategy, I am deploying all police officers in the state. Everyone is expected to patrol and target criminal hideouts.”
“We are taking the fight everywhere, but I need the support and cooperation of the people. Please give us the benefit of the doubt and watch what will happen in the next three months,” Agbonika added.
Dr. Festus Alenkhe, the NUJ Chairman of the Edo State Council, promised the new Commissioner of Police that the union will assist in the state’s efforts to combat crime. However, he asked the police to always give journalists timely information so they may perform their jobs well.
