The tragic killing of 16 hunters in Edo State has sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria. The victims, who were traveling to Kano from Rivers State to celebrate Eid, were mistaken for kidnappers by a vigilante group and were lynched in Uromi, Edo State, last Thursday. The mob set 16 of the victims on fire, while 10 others were rescued by the police.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, strongly condemned the killings, vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. In a statement, the CDS noted that the incident could have been prevented if the appropriate authorities had been involved in verifying the identities of the victims. He further emphasized that citizens should refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead rely on security agencies to handle such matters.
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, reaching out to the Hausa community, local leaders, and northern governors. He also suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (retd.), and ordered the immediate suspension of all illegal vigilante groups operating in the state. The state government reassured the public that investigations are ongoing, with 14 suspects arrested so far and more being pursued.
The incident has received widespread condemnation from both northern and southern groups. The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sañusi II, urged the youth in Kano to avoid reprisals, emphasizing that revenge is forbidden in Islam and calling for justice through legal channels. Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) denounced the killings, stressing the need for stronger law enforcement and the upholding of human rights.
The Head of the Hausa Community in Edo State, Alhaji Badamosi Saleh, also urged his people not to take the law into their own hands, highlighting that the government is taking steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Similarly, representatives from the Arewa Community in southern Nigeria assured that there would be no reprisals and called for peace and justice.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State criticized the state government’s response, particularly the suspension of the security corps commander, calling it an admission of failure in the state’s security apparatus. The PDP called for a comprehensive audit and overhaul of the security system in the state to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response, national leaders, security agencies, and community groups across Nigeria have called for calm, while emphasizing the need for swift justice to ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat itself.
