Fear of Ethnic Violence: Igbos Shut Shops in Sokoto Over Rumoured Retaliation for Edo Killings

 

Fear and uncertainty swept through Sokoto State on Friday as rumours of a planned protest in response to the recent killing of 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State, triggered mass closure of shops—mostly owned by Igbos. The unease has raised ethnic and security concerns, reviving painful memories of previous violent incidents in the region.

 

According to eyewitness reports, major commercial hubs populated by non-indigenes—particularly Igbos—were under lock and key. Areas such as Bello Way, Emir Yahya, Sahara, and Aliyu Jodi were virtually deserted, with business owners citing fear of reprisal attacks following Friday prayers.

 

A shop owner, Chinedu, explained, “We heard there could be a protest and possible attack by youths after prayers, and we chose to close early. We can’t wait until violence breaks out before we act.”

 

Another trader in Sahara echoed the sentiment, referencing the chaos and looting during the protests following the Deborah Yakubu incident. “We lost goods then because we didn’t act on time. This time, we closed shops to avoid a repeat,” he said, requesting anonymity.

 

Despite the mounting fears, the Sokoto State Police Command has insisted that there is no immediate threat. Police spokesman DSP Ahmed Rufai said officers had been deployed across the metropolis to ensure security, and no violence had been reported as of press time.

 

Still, the mass closures and heightened alert have reignited criticism of the government’s inability to ease ethnic tensions or provide consistent protection for minority groups. While the police dismiss the threat, the actions of the residents suggest a growing lack of trust in state assurances—a dangerous precedent in an already fragile climate.