Uromi at a Crossroads: Let Us Reject Self-Help and Uphold the Rule of Law By Prince Joseph Okojie

The current wave of insecurity spreading across various regions in Nigeria from Benue State to Jos and Southern Kaduna—offers a sobering lesson to communities like ours in Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government. These places, once known for their peace and cultural harmony, are now marked by fear, division, and violence. Not because their people failed to act, but because they acted out of desperation turning to self-help, mob justice, and vengeance.

Today, Uromi finds itself at a critical crossroads. We are grieving. We are hurting. And we are afraid. But we must not allow fear and anger to push us down the path of destruction.

The Pain Is Real. But Self-Help Is Not the Solution

We acknowledge, with deep sorrow, that Uromi men and women have been kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Families have been torn apart. The fear of going to farms or even engaging in everyday activities has paralyzed many in our community.

But we must remember: killing or burning individuals based solely on suspicion is not justice it is lawlessness.

When we take the law into our own hands, we lose our moral high ground. Worse, we open the gates to chaos, reprisals, and the loss of innocent lives.

Let the Appropriate Authorities Do Their Job

Our security agencies may not be perfect. Yes, they must do better. But they are still the ones empowered by law to investigate, arrest, and prosecute. We must allow them to do the needful.

The answer is not to kill suspects in the streets or burn those we think are kidnappers. That is not how justice works in a civilized society. That is how once-peaceful towns become battlegrounds.

My Heartfelt Condolences to every family that have lost a loved one—whether through kidnapping, banditry, or even lynching—I extend my deepest condolences. Your pain is our pain. Your loss is felt across the entire Uromi community.

But let your grief not be the spark that lights the fire of more violence. Let your pain push us toward unity, not destruction.

A Call to Government and Security Agencies. I also use this moment to call on the government at all levels and the security agencies to rise to their responsibility. Our people cannot continue to live in fear. Farmers must return to their land. Traders must open their shops. Our youth must walk freely without terror lurking.

We need immediate and sustained action to ensure the protection of lives and properties in Uromi and throughout Esanland.

A Plea to Uromi Sons and Daughters Let us not turn on each other. Let us not become judges and executioners. Let us not trade the rule of law for mob justice.

We are a proud, peaceful, and noble people. We must act with wisdom and restraint. The future of Uromi depends on what we choose today.

Let us choose peace. Let us choose justice. Let us choose order.

Let Uromi remain a place where the law is respected and where our humanity is preserved even in the face of hardship.