Northern Hausa hunters labelled as kidnappers, bandits have been set ablaze in Edo State.
At least, seven(7) persons have been confirmed dead while others are in critical condition at a medical facility.
The gruesome attack on Northern travellers in Udune Efandion community in Uromi, Edo State, on March 27, 2025, has sparked nationwide outrage.
The travellers who were said to be Northern hunters traveling for Sallah were lynched by irate mobs in the area.
At least, seven out of the sixteen(16) bodies have been declared dead from the massacre in Edo, while others are in critical condition.
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that the incident happened around 1:30 pm on Thursday. A vehicle conveying some Hausa hunters for the Sallah celebration was en route from Port Harcourt to Kano when it was intercepted by the local vigilante group in Uromi Edo.
Upon search, the vigilantes discovered some Dane guns in the vehicle and concluded that they were kidnappers and bandits. Immediately, some irate mob took the law into their own hands and set the van ablaze while other victims were pushed with wheelbarrows into the burning fire.
An eyewitness and security expert said, “The sight of the hunting guns. Dane guns commonly used in the North were misinterpreted as a threat. Instead of contacting the police, or other security agencies, local vigilantes raised a false alarm, which ignited a wave of chaos and violence.
Local youths, incited by the unfounded accusations, viciously attacked the travellers, resulting in the tragic loss of 16 lives on the spot. In a grotesque act of barbarism, the mob set the truck ablaze, leaving some bodies trapped inside the vehicle.
“While some people were taken out on wheelbarrow and thrown inside fire. This gruesome scene only points to the sickening reality of mob justice that has taken root in certain communities.”
The witness stated security operatives in the area arrived late as only victims were rescued from the fire but in critical condition at a medical centre.
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Reacting to the gruesome incident, the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo condemned the act and assured that the perpetrators will be brought to book. In a statement released through the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the government, SP Solomon Osaghele, he stated, “I can assure you that the people 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 I speak now, over four persons have been arrested for their involvement in this ugly incident.”
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also condemned the action stating that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria. The president ordered a manhunt for the killers of the Hausa travellers. He also praised the Edo State governor, Okpebholo for his swift response to the incident.
Also, former PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has expressed sadness over the incident. Atiku took to his X formerly Twitter account to express his displeasure over the incident.
He wrote, “This unfortunate incident demands a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to uncover and ensure that those responsible are brought to book. The protection of innocent lives must remain paramount, and I urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to prevent a recurrence of jungle justice. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done to restore public confidence in our security institutions.”
Also, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Northern Governors Forum, Area Youth Forum, Amnesty International and other civil institutions have raised their voices in condemnation of the act and urged that the perpetrators be brought to justice as junge justice isn’t constitutional.
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