Violence Erupts In Edo Community As Youths Protest Rising Kidnappings, Attack Hausa Quarters

 Violence Erupts In Edo Community As Youths Protest Rising Kidnappings, Attack Hausa Quarters

Violence broke out on Saturday in Auchi Kingdom, Edo State, as angry youths protesting the growing wave of kidnappings in the community attacked Hausa settlements and set several houses and shops on fire.

Reports indicate that tension had been building in the town for days as residents complained about frequent abductions and the huge ransom payments demanded by kidnappers.

A member of the Otaru Council in the kingdom revealed that kidnapping incidents have become almost a daily occurrence in the area.

“For months now we have been facing serious kidnapping problems. Almost every day there is a report of someone being abducted. The kidnappers usually demand ransom as high as ₦100 million, and the community can no longer tolerate it,” the council member said.

Before the violence erupted, elderly women in the community had staged peaceful protests across major roads and streets in Auchi. During the demonstrations, they publicly condemned the kidnappers and placed curses on anyone involved in the crimes or supporting them.

The protests reportedly lasted for about a week and reflected the growing frustration and fear among residents.

However, the situation escalated on Saturday when groups of youths mobilised across the town in reaction to the worsening insecurity.

According to the council member, the youths began identifying individuals who did not have fixed residences in the community, particularly targeting those they suspected might be linked to criminal activities.

He stated that the youths demanded that Hausa residents without permanent homes leave the area.

“We want every Hausa person living here to have a proper place of residence. Many of them stay around motorcycles at night and sleep outside until morning. If anything happens, we need to know where people live,” he explained.

During the unrest, the protesting youths reportedly stormed parts of the Hausa quarters in Auchi, setting several houses and business premises ablaze. The attacks forced many residents to flee their homes while properties were destroyed.

Security forces were later deployed to restore order, with the Nigerian Army intervening to prevent the situation from escalating further.

However, tensions increased after the military arrived, as some residents accused the soldiers of protecting the Hausa settlers instead of addressing the concerns of the local community.

Despite the criticism, the council member acknowledged that the military had been active in the area but said residents believed the response to the insecurity crisis had been inadequate.

Auchi has historically been known as a diverse and welcoming town where people from different parts of Nigeria live and work.

However, some residents now claim that the town’s openness has been exploited over the years, alleging that large numbers of migrants have been brought into the community, further complicating the security situation.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the violence as investigations continue.