The brutal killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, has sparked widespread condemnation from President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and various political figures.
The President has ordered an extensive manhunt to track down those responsible, while other leaders have joined the call for swift justice.
Tragic Case of Mistaken Identity
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH indicate that the victims, who identified themselves as hunters, were traveling in a Dangote Cement truck when they were stopped by local vigilantes around 1:30 p.m. in the Udune Efandion community.
Upon searching the truck, the community security forces discovered locally-made dane guns, raising suspicion. This led to an immediate mob attack, fueled by fears of insecurity in the region.
A disturbing video circulating on social media captured the gruesome moment when the victims were lynched. The 29-second clip revealed the victims crying for mercy as they were viciously beaten before being set ablaze.
In the video, one victim could be heard pleading, “Please, please, wayo, wayo.” Shockingly, some bystanders appeared indifferent to the unfolding horror, continuing their daily activities.
Eyewitness Accounts and Brutal Execution
An eyewitness, identified simply as John, confirmed that the travelers were mistakenly taken for kidnappers. He recounted, “The vigilantes, upon finding weapons in the truck, raised an alarm, prompting the crowd to attack. It is suspicious to be transporting arms this way, but the proper step should have been to hand them over to the authorities.”
In a particularly chilling moment from the video, a resident used a wheelbarrow to push a victim into the raging fire, while a female voice in the background lamented, “Eyah, he is crying.”
Another onlooker, a man dressed in a white T-shirt and black jeans, appeared to be directing the attack, while another male voice was heard taunting the victims.
Police Response and Arrests
A local resident, who chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, blamed the police for their slow response.
“If law enforcement had arrived earlier, this could have been prevented. By the time they reached the scene, only four individuals could be rescued and taken to the hospital,” the source explained.
Confirming the tragic event, the Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killings. Command spokesperson Moses Yamu stated on Friday that a high-level emergency meeting had been held with community leaders to address the situation. Additionally, a special unit comprising the Police Mobile Force and other tactical teams has been deployed to prevent any further unrest.
Providing details of the incident, Yamu revealed, “A truck with registration number KKF 225 XA, traveling from Port Harcourt and carrying 25 travelers from Elele, Rivers State, was intercepted by vigilante members in Uromi. Some of the passengers were found with locally-made guns and detained. However, during this process, an alarm was raised, branding them as suspected kidnappers. This triggered a violent reaction from the community, resulting in the lynching of 16 individuals, while their truck was set on fire.”
Yamu added that police officers from the Uromi division responded swiftly upon receiving intelligence, managing to rescue 10 travelers. Two of the survivors, who suffered severe injuries, were hospitalized and are now recovering.
Presidential and National Reactions
In response to the gruesome killings, President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Expressing his deep shock, he extended condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized that extrajudicial killings would not be tolerated in Nigeria.
A statement from the Presidency reinforced that mob justice has no place in a civilized society and assured Nigerians that everyone has the right to move freely and safely across the country.
Similarly, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) strongly denounced the attack. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, who chairs the forum, described the incident as a grave violation of human rights and called for strict legal action against those responsible.
In a statement signed by Ismaila Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at the Gombe Government House, Yahaya expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and called for urgent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“We are deeply disturbed by the brutal loss of innocent lives,” Yahaya stated. “Jungle justice undermines the rule of law and our societal values. A thorough and transparent investigation is necessary to ensure that all culprits face the full wrath of the law.”
Political and Civil Society Outcry
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar took to his verified X handle to stress that protecting lives must remain a top government priority.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic killing of innocent travelers in Edo State,” Atiku posted. “A thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation is essential to bring the culprits to justice. Accountability is key to restoring public confidence in our security institutions.”
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric.” Speaking through the Chief Security Officer of Government House, SP Solomon Osaghale, he assured that all perpetrators would be held accountable.
“I can assure the public that those behind this heinous crime will not evade justice,” Okpebholo declared. “His Excellency has instructed the Commissioner of Police to conduct a full-scale investigation. Already, over four suspects have been arrested.”
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also weighed in, expressing deep sorrow over the killings. He underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law and warned against the dangers of mob justice.
“It is disturbing to learn that these individuals were executed based on mere suspicion,” Obi remarked. “While insecurity remains a major concern, resorting to extrajudicial measures only escalates the cycle of violence.”
Arewa Youths and PDP React
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) condemned the attack in a statement signed by its President General, Yerima Shetima. The forum described the lynching as a horrifying display of mob injustice, fueled by misinformation. The AYCF demanded an immediate and comprehensive probe to bring all perpetrators to justice.
Similarly, the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the attack, attributing it to growing paranoia fueled by rising insecurity in the state.
The tragic killings in Edo State have reignited national conversations about insecurity, mob violence, and the need for judicial processes to handle suspicions of criminal activity.
As investigations continue, Nigerians await tangible actions from security agencies to ensure that such senseless brutality never happens again.
