Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has strongly condemned the mob attack that led to the killing of some travellers accused of kidnapping in the state. The incident occurred in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, where a group of hunters travelling for the Sallah festivities were wrongly accused of kidnapping.
According to reports, the mob intercepted the victims, who were travelling in a truck, and after searching the vehicle, found dane guns—a weapon typically used by hunters. This led to the assumption that the travellers were kidnappers. The mob proceeded to burn the victims alive, a gruesome act captured in a viral video that has sparked widespread outrage across the country.
Governor Okpebholo, who condemned the act as barbaric and unacceptable, vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. In a statement delivered by the Chief Security Officer of the Government House, SP Solomon Osaghale, the governor expressed deep concern over the incident. He emphasized that no one has the right to take another person’s life without due process.
The governor explained that investigations into the incident revealed that the victims had boarded a commercial truck when they were stopped by members of a local security outfit. Upon searching the vehicle and finding the guns, the situation escalated, leading to the mob attack.
Governor Okpebholo reassured the public that a full-scale investigation had been launched, with the Commissioner of Police directed to ensure that justice is served. As of now, at least four individuals have been arrested in connection with the killings. The governor also urged for calm and assured the public, particularly the Hausa community in Uromi, that security forces have been deployed to restore peace and order.
The governor urged law-abiding citizens of Uromi to continue their daily activities without fear, stressing that the authorities are working to prevent any further violence or unrest. His message was clear: mob justice would not be tolerated, and those involved in such acts would face the full wrath of the law.
The incident has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with many citizens criticizing both the state and federal governments for not doing enough to prevent such jungle justice from occurring. However, the governor’s firm stance on ensuring justice is a step towards addressing the growing concern around mob killings and public security in the state.
