Arewa community protests insecurity in Edo with sit-at-home

The Arewa Community in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, has commenced a sit-at-home protest over the perceived persecution of its members due to insecurity in the town and other parts of Edo North.

The sit-at-home, according to a statement on Sunday by community leader Chief Bawa Mohammed, began on Friday and aimed to draw the attention of authorities to the plight of northern residents in Edo North.

Mohammed said the majority of Northern Nigerians living in Auchi are law-abiding residents seeking better opportunities, adding that criminal activities were often carried out by a small minority.

“The sit-at-home, which started on Friday, is to draw the attention of the authorities to our plight as we are being persecuted for the crime of a few.

Criminals often live and move quietly among law-abiding citizens. Vigilance and cooperation from all residents are necessary to ensure such individuals do not operate freely within the community.

“Most of us are here for economic reasons, while some fled the insecurity in the North to have a better life here. We are law-abiding,” he said.

He emphasised that many northerners residing in Auchi were economic migrants who moved to the town in search of safety and improved livelihoods, with some fleeing violence in parts of Northern Nigeria

Mohammed stressed the need for collective action to address security concerns, urging both the host community and Northern residents to work together in identifying and isolating individuals involved in criminal activities.

Ensuring public safety is a shared responsibility. Residents should remain united, maintain mutual respect, and support efforts aimed at preventing criminality from taking root within their neighbourhoods,” he added.

A resident, Ehiz, highlighted the economic impact of the protest, noting that many commercial activities relied on northern residents.

“The consequences will be grave. Eighty per cent of commercial motorcyclists in Auchi are Hausa, and motorcycles form 95 per cent of transportation in the locality.

“This same set of people provides over 90 per cent of auxiliary services around the area, including cobblers, mobile tailoring, construction labour, and more.

“Simply put, they have a huge impact on commercial activities across Auchi,” he said.

The action comes against the backdrop of a series of kidnappings in Edo North, which has strained relations between the indigenes and visitors.

Authorities have intensified security operations, with the police, Nigerian Army, and other agencies reportedly arresting over 100 suspected kidnappers this year.

Culled from punch