Gov Pledges Compensation To Victims Families
Daud Olatunji
Residents of Uromi and surrounding communities in Edo State have fled their homes over fears of reprisals and arrests by security forces following the lynching of 16 travelers by a mob last Thursday.
This occurred as families of the victims staged a protest during the visit of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to Toranke in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.
In Edo State, the affected areas, including Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction, have been largely deserted, with many residents seeking refuge in neighboring towns.
Farmers have also abandoned their farmlands, while others have left town quietly, fearing indiscriminate arrests.
A source, who identified himself as Monday, recounted the events leading up to the mob action.
According to him, the local vigilante group had received intelligence that the travelers were armed.
“When the travelers arrived in Uromi, the vigilantes asked them to step out of their vehicle, but they refused, leading to a confrontation.
“One of them pulled out a knife, prompting the vigilantes to raise an alarm, accusing them of being kidnappers,” he said.
“Nobody is justifying the lynching, but those who participated have fled, leaving innocent people to be arrested.”
Another resident, Mr. Akhere, corroborated this account, explaining that the victims were suspected kidnappers rather than hunters as claimed.
He noted that the group had allegedly boarded a truck in Ubiaja with arms and cash.
“In as much as we are not justifying the killings, these people were not the traditional hunters we know.
Our vigilantes had been tracking suspected kidnappers for a long time.
The mistake was taking the law into their own hands instead of handing them over to the police,” he stated.
Fear of reprisals has intensified, with reports of security agents making arrests in various parts of the town.
On Saturday, a young man riding a GLK motorcycle was arrested near Opere Secondary School during a wedding ceremony. Another wave of arrests reportedly took place on Monday.
Meanwhile, panic spread to Ekpoma on Monday following rumors that a Fulani group was planning an attack in response to the killings.
The Ekpoma Market was thrown into chaos as traders and motorists scrambled to escape. Security forces were later deployed to restore calm.
The heightened tension in Uromi follows years of kidnapping and criminal activities blamed on armed groups operating in the region.
A resident, Jenny Osajie, narrated her family’s ordeal, revealing that her elder brother was kidnapped on his way to the farm and later killed after they failed to raise a ransom of N5 million.
“They were so bold that they called us to come and pick his body at the location they described,” she lamented.
“I am a Christian, and I have committed everything to God, but there is anger everywhere. Why has the government not acted this way since we have been crying about kidnappings?”
… Victims’ Families Protest, Demand Justice
On Monday, families of the victims staged a protest during the visit of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to Toranke in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.
The protesters carried placards demanding justice and a fair investigation into the killings.
Some of the inscriptions read, “We demand justice for the killings of our people,” “Hunters are not criminals,” and “We demand speedy dispensation of justice.”
The demonstration saw several hunters carrying weapons and chanting war songs as the Governor’s convoy passed by.
Calls for accountability and swift government action have grown louder, with protesters insisting that authorities address both the lynching and the insecurity plaguing the region.
The situation in Uromi remains tense, as security forces continue their operations while residents grapple with fear and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured the families of the 16 slain hunters allegedly killed by a vigilante group in Uromi, Edo State, that they will receive compensation.
Okpebholo made this commitment on Monday during a condolence visit to the bereaved families in Torankawa, Kano State.
He was accompanied by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who also promised support to the affected families.
“We are making arrangements to provide compensation to all the victims affected by this incident,” Okpebholo stated.
He commended the people of Kano and the northern region for maintaining peace despite the tragic event.
The governor further assured that justice would be served, revealing that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killings.
“We will pursue this case to its logical conclusion and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he vowed.
Governor Yusuf also reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing justice for the victims. “We are working closely with Governor Okpebholo to ensure that all those arrested are prosecuted,” he said.
In addition to pledging justice, Yusuf announced cash and food aid for the grieving families. “We will also ensure full compensation for all affected victims,” he added.
Both governors prayed for the repose of the deceased’s souls and extended their sympathies to the bereaved families.
“May Almighty God forgive the souls of the victims and grant them paradise,” Okpebholo prayed.
The tragic incident, which has sparked national outrage, has prompted calls from various quarters, including the Nigerian Bar Association in Kano, for the Edo State Government to not only compensate the victims’ families but also ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.
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