By Chimezie Godfrey
Tension has escalated in Uma, also known as Imoga community, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, following an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herders on residents of the area.
Community sources claimed that several persons sustained severe injuries during the attack, with some victims reportedly receiving treatment in neighbouring hospitals.
The latest violence has reportedly triggered panic and unrest within the community, as angry youths mobilised into surrounding forests in search of the attackers.
A statement issued by Dr. Bode Ekundayo, National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People (MAAP), alleged that the attack followed months of tension linked to kidnapping, ransom taking, and insecurity within the area.
According to him, residents had repeatedly warned government authorities and security agencies about escalating security threats within the forests surrounding Imoga.
The group alleged that several petitions had earlier been submitted to security agencies, including the Police Area Command in Igarra, the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department, and Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City.
Ekundayo claimed that despite repeated warnings and appeals, the security situation continued to deteriorate.
”Fulani herders just invaded Uma community in Akoko Edo, butchering whomever they met.
”Some victims have had their toes cut off and bodies mutilated. The victims have been rushed to neighbouring hospitals, and as a result, youths and people of the community have risen in righteous and reprisal fury, pouring into the.forest. Imoga is in a turmoil at present.
He added that he has “some of the gory pictures sent me an hour ago, a leg that escaped being completely slashed off, sustaining a deep gash as evidence, trails of blood in the bush surrounding a house and two completely chopped off human toes More pictures are being expected.
”We have been screaming, begging government agencies to no avail to intervene, warning everyone that cared to read and listen of an impending eruption of anarchy in the community,”he stated.
The group further alleged that some suspected kidnappers arrested in April 2026 had not yet been prosecuted, raising concerns among residents over the handling of insecurity cases within the area.
According to the statement, the community had recently embarked on what it described as peaceful evacuation of herders’ camps believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The exercise, it said, was conducted without violence before the latest attack occurred.
The development has heightened fears of possible reprisal attacks and breakdown of law and order within the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Residents have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further escalation of violence in the area.
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