- Govs, Amnesty International, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, others react
BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS – President Bola Tinubu has condemned the brutal killing of 16 travelers by an irate mob in Uromi, Edo State, with an order that the security agencies must fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.
With the President ordering a manhunt for the killers, the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Amnesty International (AI), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party Presidential flag-bearer in 2023, Peter Obi, and former Governor of Kano State. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, among other individuals and groups, also condemned the killings and demanded justice for the victims.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President “expressed shock at the dastardly act, directed police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits.”
President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the affected victims and assured them that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians.
The statement said, “The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country”.
Northern Govs Demand Justice
In their reaction, the Northern States Governors’ Forum condemned in strong terms the killing of the travelers, with its Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, describing the attack as a gross violation of human rights.
Stressing that extrajudicial violence must be condemned with severity, the NSGF Chairman expressed condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by the tragic event.
A statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, further quoted him as saying, “We are deeply disturbed by the loss of innocent lives and the horrific manner in which these individuals were attacked.
“This appalling act undermines the rule of law and the very fabric of our society. It is imperative that the relevant authorities conduct a full and thorough investigation into this senseless act. The perpetrators must be identified, arrested, and brought to justice swiftly.”
He said all Nigerians, regardless of their region, should be able to travel freely and safely without fear of harassment, violence, or intimidation.
While urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take swift action to prevent such incidents from recurring, the Forum Chairman also appealed for calm and warned against reprisal attacks.
Amnesty International Condemns Killings
In a statement on Friday signed by the Country Director, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International condemned the incident, saying, “The Nigerian authorities must go beyond merely condemning the incident and ensure that the suspected attackers are apprehended and brought to justice in a fair trial”.
The statement read, “The consistent failure of the Nigerian government to punish mob violence has created an environment in which violent mobs believe themselves entitled to take the law into their own hands”.
It described the lynching as part of a growing trend of vigilante groups unlawfully blocking highways and engaging in violent acts with impunity.
Sanusi said, “The horrific mob violence that happened at Uromi is part of the rising trend of vigilante groups of towns and villages along highways blocking roads and carrying out unlawful activities with impunity.
“The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfill their obligation to protect people from harm and violence”.
Atiku, Okpebholo, Obi, Kwankwaso Seek Justice
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar maintained on Friday that the protection and security of lives must remain a top priority at all levels of government.
He wrote on his verified X handle, “I am deeply saddened by reports of the tragic killing of some hunters in Edo State. My heartfelt condolences go out to their families and loved ones. This unfortunate incident demands a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done to restore public confidence in our security institutions.”
On his part, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, while condemning the attack, described it as barbaric and vicious.
The Governor, through the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Government House, SP Solomon Osaghale, vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law.
Stressing that such acts would not be tolerated in the state, Governor Okpebholo said a thorough investigation would be conducted to ensure justice, adding; “I can assure you that those involved in this unprovoked attack will not go scot-free, as His Excellency has directed the Commissioner of Police to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter. As we speak, over four persons have been arrested for their involvement in this ugly incident.”
For the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, the killings were “deeply saddening.”
A statement on his X handle said the tragic incident underscored the need for a justice system that would uphold the rule of law and protect every citizen, regardless of background.
Obi stressed that mob justice posed a significant threat to societal stability and called on security agencies to intensify efforts in curbing such lawless actions.
The former Anambra State Governor wrote thus: “Reports indicate that these individuals were accused of being kidnappers, leading to their brutal murder by a mob. While addressing security concerns and combating criminal activities is crucial, resorting to extrajudicial measures undermines the rule of law and exacerbates the cycle of violence.
“I commend the government for condemning this incident and initiating an investigation. Furthermore, the authorities should also address the killings of Edo indigenes to ensure that justice is served for all”.
Similarly, the former Governor of Kano State and Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, noted that every Nigerian has the right to travel freely without fear of harassment or intimidation.
He wrote in a Facebook post, “I am concerned by the harrowing display of mob injustice on 16 travelers from Northern Nigeria in Edo State. This tragedy, which unfolded on March 27, 2025, in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, is another sad reminder of the barbarity of jungle justice.”
The former Minister of Defence also called on authorities to initiate a thorough investigation and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The Tragic Killings
Reports said the 16 northern travellers were mobbed and killed at Uromi in Edo State while transiting from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Kano State.
It was gathered that the victims were hunters who were returning home for the Sallah celebration but got mixed up in a case of mistaken identity.
Eyewitnesses said the victims, who claimed to be hunters, were traveling in a Dangote Cement truck when they were accosted around 1.30 pm in the Udune Efandion community by local security personnel, vigilantes
Upon searching the vehicle, dane guns were reportedly discovered, which triggered the mob attack, and a disturbing video on X captured the moment the victims were lynched.
The 29-second clip captured the travellers wailing and pleading for their lives as the irate mob went haywire, beating them to a stupor before setting them ablaze.
“Please, please, wayo, wayo,” one of the victims wailed as the video showed some residents going about their businesses, seemingly not worried by the brutal scene unfolding before them.
One of the eyewitnesses, who identified himself simply as John, claimed the mob mistook the travellers for kidnappers.
According to him, “After seeing the travellers with guns, the vigilantes raised the alarm, and people descended on them. How could they be carrying arms from wherever they were coming from? Are they hunters? What were they doing in a Dangote Cement truck with guns? I think the people were frustrated by frequent kidnappings in the area. However, they should have handed them over to the police.”
The horrifying video also showed a resident using a wheelbarrow to throw one of the victims into the raging fire. At the same time, a female voice could be heard in the background saying, “Eyah, he is crying,” as the violence continued.
Also, a man in a white T-shirt and black jeans was seen directing the attack, with another male voice among the mob mocking the roadting victims.
Speaking to some reporters, one of the community members, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, slammed the Police for not arriving early at the scene despite repeated calls and alarm signals sent to them.
Distressed by the unfortunate incident, he volunteered that “If the police had arrived early enough, this tragedy could have been prevented. But by the time they arrived, only four people could be saved, and they were rushed to a hospital”.
Edo Police Command Speaks
Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects, and the Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, noted that an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation.
In a statement on Friday, Yamu said a unit of the Police Mobile Force personnel with other tactical teams had been deployed in the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
He cautioned against any form of reprisals or unlawful gatherings that might further escalate tension.
The Command Spokesperson, while updating reporters on events leading to the mob attack, said; “The incident occurred when a truck, with registration number KKF 225 XA, coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travellers who were found in possession of locally-made dane guns were arrested.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised the alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch 16 of the occupants, while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where 10 of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to a hospital, where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
