It was an unusual Sunday in Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area in Edo State as angry youths stormed the streets to protest against the Nigeria Police for aiding criminal activities involving kidnappings and organ harvesting in the state.

The violence erupted over allegations that criminal Fulani groups responsible for kidnapping and suspected organ harvesting were receiving protection from the police.

Indeed, the increasing cases of kidnappings and organ harvesting in the state had become too much for the youths to bear.

However, things escalated after a young boy was kidnapped some weeks ago.

Despite the ransom payment, the boy had not been released sparking concern amongst the youths.

The Investigation

As a result, the youths decided to launch their own investigation.

They tracked the boy’s phone, leading them to a suspect who was handed over to the police.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect was working with a leader in the local Hausa/Fulani community.

However, nothing was done to ensure justice.

That was what triggered Sunday’s violence.

Frustrated with the police’s handling of the situation, community youths stormed the police station.

They seized the suspect, who led them to the residence of the Hausa/Fulani leader.

Upon intense questioning, he allegedly confessed that numerous kidnapping victims had been murdered and buried in shallow graves after their organs were harvested.

Youths Vs Police

The youths, enraged by this revelation, dug up the decomposing body of the kidnapped boy in the leader’s compound, where they reportedly uncovered human bones, believed to belong to other victims.

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The angry youths set fire to the compound and other properties associated with the Hausa/Fulani community, including business centers.

Some community members reportedly lost their lives in the violence before the mob proceeded to torch the police station.

One of the protesting youths said: “Enough is enough; this has to end. The police kill our children and still take money from us. These kidnappers abduct our children, collect money—₦2.5 million, sometimes ₦3 million—and still end up killing the victims.”

Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, Arungwa Udo, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, visited Agenebode to assess the damage.

The Nigeria Police is however yet to issue any statement regarding the incident.