President Bola Tinubu and several state governors have strongly condemned the brutal murder of 16 Northerners by a mob in Uromi, Edo State.
President Tinubu, in a statement on Friday, directed the police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits.
Reports indicate that the victims, who claimed to be hunters, were traveling in a Dangote Cement truck when local security operatives stopped them in Udune Efandion community around 1:30 p.m. Upon searching the truck, the operatives reportedly found dane guns, prompting the mob to attack.
A disturbing video circulating on social media captured the moment the victims were lynched, pleading for their lives as they were beaten and set ablaze. Witnesses said the mob mistook them for kidnappers, acting out of frustration over frequent abductions in the area.
“If the police had arrived early enough, this tragedy could have been prevented,” a resident said, revealing that only four individuals were saved and rushed to the hospital.
Police confirm 16 deaths, arrest 14 suspects
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects and stated that security reinforcements had been deployed to prevent further unrest.
Police spokesman Moses Yamu explained that the truck, carrying 25 travellers from Rivers State, was stopped and searched, leading to suspicions that triggered the attack.
“Some vigilante members raised the alarm, calling them suspected kidnappers. This led to an angry mob attacking and killing 16 of the travellers, while the truck was set ablaze,” he said.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid taking the law into their hands, warning against reprisals that could escalate tensions in the state.
