The families and associates of the 16 hunters from Kano State who were lynched in Uromi, Edo State, have threatened to avenge the deaths of their loved ones if the Federal Government fails to arrest and prosecute those behind the gruesome act.
The victims, who hailed mostly from Toranke in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano, were travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Kano for the Sallah celebration when they were intercepted and killed by local vigilantes on suspicion of being kidnappers.
The incident, which sparked outrage nationwide, has deepened ethnic and regional tensions, with community leaders, bereaved families, and fellow hunters in Kano insisting that only swift justice would avert further unrest.
Speaking on the development, a community leader and fellow hunter, Alhaji Musa Dogo, warned that if the government failed to bring the perpetrators to book, hunters would be forced to take matters into their own hands.
“We cannot allow this to go unanswered. The hunters that were killed were our brothers. We trained together, fought criminals together, and protected our communities together.
“ If the government does not arrest and publicly prosecute those responsible, we will take matters into our own hands,” he said.
Echoing Dogo’s sentiments, another hunter, Bala Danburan, said, “We know how to sneak into Uromi and take revenge ourselves if justice is not served. This is not a threat; it is a promise. We are hunters, not cowards.”
The group also demanded that the case be transferred to Kano State for prosecution, referencing a previous case involving a suspect, Yunusa Yellow, who was transferred to Bayelsa State upon request.
“This is about fairness. We want the case brought here where we can follow it closely. The Edo government must cooperate if they want peace,” Dogo added.
Anger and despair were palpable among residents of Bunkure. A hunter, Alhaji Usman Bako, condemned the killings and said the incident reflected the government’s neglect of local security volunteers who risk their lives fighting crime.
“If the government continues to ignore us and does not punish those behind this massacre, we may have no choice but to withdraw from all joint operations,” Bako warned.
Also speaking, Malam Sani Umar, who lost his younger brother, Yahaya Umar, said the tragedy had shattered his family.
“Yahaya left behind four children and a wife. He was a courageous man who believed in justice. Now he has been killed unjustly, and those who did this are walking free,” he said.
Fighting back tears, Hafsat Ibrahim, mother of the late Nasiru, demanded not only justice but also compensation.
“Nasiru was our backbone. He ensured his siblings went to school. Now he is gone. The killers must be punished according to Islamic rites, and the government must compensate us,” she said.
Though governors of Kano and Edo states had paid condolence visits to the affected community, the families insist that condolences alone are not enough.
“We need real action. We want arrests, prosecutions, and punishment. If not, the government is indirectly encouraging more killings,” Umar said.
In Sokoto State, fear of reprisal protests triggered panic on Friday, leading to the closure of shops in Igbo-dominated areas including Bello Way, Emir Yahya, Sahara, and Aliyu Jodi.
A trader, Chinedu, said shop owners decided to shut down to prevent any attacks.
He said “We heard of possible protests after Friday prayers. We didn’t want to take chances.
Another trader in Sahara, who spoke anonymously, referenced past experiences during the late Deborah Samuel protests, saying looters took advantage of the chaos.
“The last time there was a protest, we were looted. This time, we’re being proactive,” he said.
Reacting, Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Rufai, assured residents of their safety, stating that officers had been deployed across the city to maintain order.
As of Friday, Goodwill Junction along Old Ilushi Road in Uromi, the site of the lynching, remained deserted. Residents reportedly abandoned their homes and businesses for fear of arrest or reprisal.
A resident, John, said, “The whole area is shut down. Everyone is afraid. I hear the case has been moved to Abuja, and some suspects have already been taken there.”
While condemning the killings, John pointed to the ongoing security challenges in Edo’s forests, where kidnappers and killer herders have allegedly taken root.
“The government must show equal resolve in flushing out those criminals,” he said.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, said Governor Monday Okpehbolo was working to address inherited security issues. He noted that compensation for the victims’ families would be announced once finalised.
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