The Kano State Government has announced plans to begin discussions with Edo State to determine the financial compensation for the families of the 16 travelers killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, last month.
Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, confirmed this development in an interview with Punch, although he did not specify the exact compensation amount or the date for the upcoming meeting.
Waiya shared that the Kano delegation, which will be led by Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, is set to engage with Edo State officials in order to finalize the compensation figure. He stated, “For now, there is no specific amount determined to compensate the families of the 16 slain hunters. The compensation figure will be determined during an upcoming meeting with the committee established by the Kano State Government, led by Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and Edo State government officials.”
Waiya also addressed the calls for retaliation, clarifying that many of those demanding retribution were not direct relatives of the victims. He urged journalists to exercise caution when speaking with individuals who might not be directly connected to the tragedy.
Both the Kano and Edo State Governments have already visited the affected communities in Kano, where they met with the grieving families to offer condolences and assure them of ongoing efforts to secure justice. Waiya noted that the families appreciated the government’s efforts and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities in maintaining peace and supporting the investigation.
To ease tensions and promote reconciliation, the Kano State Government has formed a delegation, led by the deputy governor, which will include representatives from human rights organizations, the commissioner for information, and members from the victims’ communities. This delegation is expected to soon visit Edo State to engage with Hausa community leaders and Edo State officials on preventing similar incidents in the future.
Waiya also revealed that the Edo State Government had agreed to compensate the families of the victims, which he described as a positive step toward healing and justice. This compensation will be part of the broader effort to address the violence and ensure justice for those affected by the killings.
In terms of progress, the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested two more suspects linked to the killings, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 16. The Kano State Government is collaborating with human rights groups to address the root causes of the violence and prevent future occurrences.
Among the measures under discussion are the dismantling of unregulated vigilante groups in Edo and increasing community engagement to promote peaceful coexistence.
