Police vow justice, families accuse politicians of extortion

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting those responsible for the brutal killing of hunters in Uromi, Edo State. On March 28, at least 16 young men were lynched and burned by community members who mistook them for kidnappers. The victims, identified as northern hunters, were returning to Kano State to […]

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting those responsible for the brutal killing of hunters in Uromi, Edo State.

On March 28, at least 16 young men were lynched and burned by community members who mistook them for kidnappers.

The victims, identified as northern hunters, were returning to Kano State to celebrate the end of Ramadan. They were travelling in a Dangote Cement truck with their hunting dogs and Dane guns.

Trouble erupted when the group was stopped by members of a local vigilante group.

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Residents, already distressed by the persistent killings of farmers and destruction of crops, responded with panic upon learning that arms were allegedly concealed in the truck.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, in company with his Kano State counterpart, Abba Yusuf, paid a condolence visit to the families of the late hunters at Torankawa in Kano State.

 

Police pledge to prosecute culprits

Speaking to one of our correspondents, the spokesman of the NPF, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, assured that the killers would be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.

Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said he was sure that some suspects had since been arrested in connection with the killing and the investigations were still on.

“I can confirm to you that some suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Investigations were still on and they would be prosecuted in court for committing the heinous crimes,” he said.

When asked to give a specific timeline on when the investigations would be concluded, the senior police officer said it was only those handling it that could give when the probe would last.

The force spokesman said, “Honestly, I can’t give you the timeline. I am not an investigator. It depends on those investigating the case. What I am sure of is that the culprits will be prosecuted.”

 

Normalcy returns to Torankawa community

Findings showed that peace has returned to Torankawa village in Kano State, where 11 of the 16 victims hailed from. The community has chosen to accept the tragedy as an act of destiny.

Malam Sama’ila Idi Torankawa said, “As Muslims, we believe everything happens by God’s will. Even without the Uromi incident, their time to depart this world would have come.

“Although it’s difficult, we must forgive. May God have mercy on their souls and protect their families.” 

Compensation for victims’ families

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, during a condolence visit to Torankawa with his Kano State counterpart, Abba Yusuf, pledged compensation for the families of the 16 slain hunters.

“We are making arrangements to provide compensation to all the victims affected by this incident,” the Edo governor said.

Mr Okpebholo commended the people of Kano State for remaining calm in spite of the situation.

“I also commend the good people of Kano State and the entire North for not taking the law into their own hands and carrying out reprisal attacks,” he said.

Several other donations from politicians and individuals have also reportedly reached the families.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, donated N16 million to the bereaved families.

He met with them at the At-Taqwa Mosque in Sabon Fegi, Bunkure LGA. The victims hailed from Bunkure, Kibiya, Rano, and Garko LGAs.

Daily Trust learned that the families were assisted in opening bank accounts in Kano to receive the funds.

Ibrahim Isah, the lone survivor from Torankawa, confirmed that he and others were taken to Kano for this purpose. He is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack. 

 

Allegations of extortion by local politicians

However, some victims’ families have accused local politicians of extorting part of the donations.

One relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said these politicians often return after each visit by sympathisers to demand a portion of the money.

“They aggressively insist on getting a share of whatever was donated. We tried explaining that the funds are for the families, many of whom are widows and orphaned children. But they wouldn’t listen,” the source lamented. 

 

4 hunters arrested in Benin

Over the weekend, four hunters were arrested in Benin City by the Edo State Security Network.

They were found with concealed weapons in their bags at Americanus Hotel on Osemwenkhae Street, Ramat Park, Orogbeni Quarters.

The suspects – Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu – were handed over to the police.

Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, clarified that the suspects were hunters, not herdsmen as reported on social media.

According to Yamu, the hunters, from Doguwa in Kano State, were heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State.

He said they were intercepted with three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers.

Investigations are ongoing, and the situation remains calm, he added. 

 

‘Northerners safe in Edo’

A fact-finding and peace-building delegation from Kano State, led by Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, visited Edo to assess the situation.

Gwarzo said northerners living in Edo are now safe.

The delegation was warmly received by Edo’s political and traditional leaders, including the king of Uromi and his chiefs.

The Edo governor accompanied the delegation to the scene of the killings, located nearly two hours from Benin City.

Gwarzo commended the Edo government for its swift actions, including the disbandment of the vigilante group linked to the killings, the arrest of 14 suspects, and continued efforts to apprehend others still at large.

He also noted that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State has been transferred, highlighting the seriousness with which the state is handling the matter.