Governor Calls for Public Parade of Suspects in Lynching of 16 Hausa Hunters, Demands Compensation for Victims’ Families

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has called for the public parade of the 14 suspects involved in the lynching of 16 hunters, as well as compensation for their families. Governor Yusuf made the demand during a condolence visit by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, in Kano on Monday. The visit occurred shortly after the remains of the victims were buried in Uromi, Edo State, on Saturday, just two days after the gruesome killings. The hunters, accused of being kidnappers, were murdered by a mob in Udune, Uromi Local Government Area, after being intercepted by a vigilante group while traveling in a truck. Ten other hunters managed to escape the attack.

Governor Yusuf described the killings as deeply troubling and emphasized that such acts contradict the core values of Nigerian society, grounded in both Islamic and Christian teachings. He confirmed that 14 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings and reassured the public that Kano would uphold the value of justice. “We will continue to be our brother’s keeper,” he added, stressing the importance of accountability and justice. He also expressed concerns about potential reprisal attacks by northerners but reassured the public that stringent security measures had been put in place to prevent such violence.

In his address, Governor Okpebholo condemned the brutal killings, calling them unacceptable and barbaric. He confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered security agencies to pursue the perpetrators. Okpebholo also assured the public that investigations were ongoing, and additional arrests could follow. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served,” he said, emphasizing that the Edo State government had taken swift action to support the families of the victims.

A statement from Governor Yusuf’s office noted that several of the victims hailed from Bankure Local Government Area of Kano State. The statement revealed that Governor Yusuf was deeply moved by the tragic loss and had traveled to Uromi personally to meet with the affected families. He commended Governor Okpebholo for his timely intervention and for ensuring that the victims’ bodies were retrieved and properly buried.

Meanwhile, in Kano, leaders of the local Hausa and Edo communities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and unity. Badamasi Saleh, representing the Arewa community in Edo, rejected the idea of using the incident to create division, praising the prompt response of the Edo State government. Fred Akhigbe, the leader of the Edo community in Kano, also echoed similar sentiments, calling for unity between both communities.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also condemned the killings, calling the attack a senseless act of violence with no place in society. He urged relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. Akpabio stressed that such actions must not be allowed to undermine efforts to build a peaceful Nigeria.

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria also weighed in on the issue, calling for stricter oversight of community policing structures. The group expressed concern that untrained local security operatives could be responsible for escalating violence and undermining the rule of law.

The Edo State Police Command responded to rumors of a riot in Uromi, asserting that there had been no violence following the killings and that the situation was under control. The police confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects, with further investigations underway. Authorities also denounced the spread of fake news on social media, urging influencers to be held accountable for stirring unrest.

In a statement, the Esan Descendants Assembly Worldwide expressed outrage over the incident, condemning the killings as a senseless tragedy. The group distanced the broader Esan community from the attackers and warned against further attempts to divide the people of Uromi and the wider region. They also highlighted the long-standing issue of insecurity in the area, stressing the need for government intervention and greater law enforcement presence.

The Global Peace Foundation-Nigeria joined the chorus of condemnation, calling for a thorough investigation into the killings and underscoring the importance of upholding the rule of law in Nigeria. Dr. John Hayab, the country director of GPFN, expressed deep concern over the incident and urged authorities to ensure justice was served to prevent further violence.