KANO: The tragic killings of the 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State, have sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice across Nigeria. The victims, who were traveling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Kano for the Sallah celebration, were lynched by a mob of vigilantes under the mistaken belief that they were kidnappers.
The incident has left families and colleagues of the victims grieving, with many expressing their anger over the lack of swift action from the authorities
In a series of interviews, friends and family members of the victims warned of dire consequences if the perpetrators are not arrested and prosecuted. Alhaji Musa Dogo, a community leader and fellow hunter from Toranke in Kano State, emphasized that the hunters who were killed were like brothers to them, with whom they had trained, fought criminals, and protected their communities.
He stated, We cannot allow this to go unanswered. The hunters that were killed were our brothers. If the government does not arrest and publicly prosecute those responsible, we will take matters into our own hands. His companion, Bala Danburan, expressed similar sentiments, adding, We are hunters, not cowards. If the government refuses to act, we will do what is necessary
The hunters are not only demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible but are also requesting that the case be transferred to a court in Kano, where they believe the case could be followed more closely and handled fairly.
Alhaji Usman Bako, another hunter from Bunkure, criticized the government’s neglect of local security outfits like the hunters, who play a crucial role in protecting communities from banditry and kidnapping.
He warned, If the government refuses to fish out and punish those behind this massacre… we may be forced to withdraw from joint operations.
The families of the victims are devastated by the loss of their loved ones. Malam Sani Umar, whose brother Yahaya Umar was among the slain hunters, spoke about the impact of his brother’s death on his family, particularly his widow and four children.
How can we accept this? How can we sleep knowing that the government has not acted?” he asked, his grief palpable.
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Similarly, Hafsat Ibrahim, who lost her son Nasiru, described him as the backbone of their family. “He was a man of dignity, a fearless hunter who sought only to protect his people. But now, he is gone, and we are left in darkness. We demand justice!” she said.
As news of the killings spread, tension escalated in Sokoto State, with many businesses, particularly those owned by non-indigenes, closing in anticipation of protests.
Many Igbo-owned shops in Sokoto were shut down as a precautionary measure, recalling a similar situation during the Deborah lynching incident.
Local residents were fearful of potential attacks and looting by angry mobs. The police, however, assured the public that they were ready to maintain law and order in the state.
In the aftermath of the killings, the area where the incident took place, Goodwill Junction along Old Ilushi Road in Uromi, remained deserted. Residents are reportedly afraid of being arrested by the police or facing reprisals from the victims’ families and colleagues.
The community is also apprehensive due to the recent transfers of arrested suspects to Abuja for prosecution.
Governor Monday Okpehbolo of Edo State has promised that the government is working diligently to address the security challenges in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, also confirmed that compensation for the families of the slain hunters will be made public once finalized.
However, many in the community are calling for more than just a condolence visit from the governors. They want justice to be served, with real arrests and trials.
This tragic event highlights the deepening security challenges in Nigeria and the growing frustrations within local communities, particularly among vigilante groups and hunters who often bear the brunt of the violence while fighting against kidnappers and bandits.
The failure of the government to act decisively in response to the killings has fueled anger, leaving a community on the brink of taking matters into their own hands
