President Bola Tinubu has said he strongly condemned the brutal kìlling of a group of travelling hunters who were intercepted by local vigilantes in the Uromi community of Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.
The Daily Crucible reports that over 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria were gruesomely kìlled in the Udune Efandion in Uromi, Edo State, after being labelled as kidnappers by the community’s angry mob and vigilantes.
The horrifying incident, The Daily Crucible learnt, occurred on Thursday when the victims, said to be primarily Hausa hunters, were traveling to Kano from Port Harcourt for the Sallah festivities when they met the cruel fate in the hands of Uromi youths.
•The victims of brutal kìlling in Edo. 
According to sources, the victim were intercepted around 1:30pm by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes.
However, the Edo Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) last night said 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the Thursday attack on a travelling party of hunters at Udune Efandion,an Uromi community .
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Moses Yamu said justice would be served in respect of the attack.
The command, according to him, was dedicated to ensuring justice for the victims.
He added that no stone would be left unturned in the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman said a truck carrying 25 travellers from Elele, Rivers, was intercepted by a vigilance group at Uromi.
During the stop, the police spokesperson said some of the travellers were found with locally made dane guns. This raised suspicion among the local security men.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised the alarm, claiming the travellers were suspected kidnappers. This led some community members and passers-by to attack and lynch 16 occupants.
“The truck conveying them was also set on fire,” Yamu said.
Police operatives from the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly moved to the scene.
Ten of the travellers were rescued. Two were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.
They are said to be responding to treatment.
“In the course of investigations, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime. An emergency meeting was also convened with stakeholders and community members,” Yamu said.
A unit of Police Mobile Force personnel, along with other tactical teams, has been deployed to the area ostensibly to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Yamu quoted Police Commissioner Betty Otimenyin as urging peaceful coexistence among groups.
“She also cautioned against any form of reprisal attacks or unlawful gatherings that could escalate tensions,” the police spokesperson stated.
Similarly, Police Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun last night ordered the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Sadiq Abubakar to take over the case and ensure a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation.
He assured the public that the Police remain committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions under any guise.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement said it was regrettable that members of the vigilance group who allegedly kìlled the hunters.
Adejobi said the vigilantes did not allow for due process or proper investigation into their claims that the victims were kidnappers before attacking them.
He said: “In immediate response, the Edo State Police Command deployed operatives to the affected community, restoring law and order. So far, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a manhunt has been launched for other perpetrators involved in the mob action.
“The IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Abubakar, mni, to take over the case and ensure a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation. He assured the public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions under any guise.
“The IGP further appeals for calm and urges members of the public to cooperate fully with the investigation. He emphasized that anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Additionally, while condemning the resort to jungle justice, the Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the unlawful possession of firearms remains a criminal offense under Nigerian law. Individuals in possession of unlicensed firearms are advised to report to the nearest police station to surrender such weapons or initiate the appropriate licensing process.
“The Force warns the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and encourages the prompt reporting of suspicious activities to lawful authorities.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, expressed deep shock over the incident and directed security agencies, including the police, to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The President has ordered a manhunt for those responsible for this heinous crime. He has also assured the families of the victims that the government will not allow criminals to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain,” Onanuga stated.
President Tinubu reaffirmed that all Nigerians have the fundamental right to move freely across the country, stressing that acts of jungle justice have no place in a lawful society.
The President also commended the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and community leaders in Uromi for their prompt intervention to prevent further escalation of tensions in the area.
•Victims’s picture credit: Ibrahim Dalib Abbas
