Tension is running high in Uma, also known as Imoga, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State after suspected Fulani herders allegedly attacked residents on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
Community sources said some victims sustained severe injuries, including severed toes and deep cuts, and were rushed to hospitals in neighbouring areas. The attack has triggered panic and unrest, with angry youths reportedly moving into surrounding forests to search for the assailants.
The Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People said the violence followed months of rising insecurity linked to kidnapping and ransom-taking in the area. National Coordinator Dr. Bode Ekundayo said residents had repeatedly warned security agencies about threats from forests around Imoga and had submitted petitions to the Police Area Command in Igarra, the Edo State CID, and Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City.
“Fulani herders just invaded Uma community in Akoko Edo, butchering whomever they met,” Ekundayo stated. “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.”
He added that the group had warned of an impending breakdown of order if authorities failed to act. The group also alleged that suspected kidnappers arrested in April 2026 had not been prosecuted, deepening distrust among residents.
According to MAAP, the community had recently carried out a peaceful evacuation of herder camps believed to be linked to criminal activity before the latest attack.
As of Sunday evening, security authorities had not issued an official statement. Residents are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation and possible reprisal attacks.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
