President Bola Tinubu on Friday condemned the killing of travelling hunters intercepted by local vigilantes in the Uromi community, Esan North Local Government of Edo State.
He “directed police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Friday.
No fewer than seven persons, now identified as hunters, were set ablaze and killed in a mob attack in Uromi, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, revealed on Thursday.
Initially, investigations revealed that the victims, northern Hausa hunters, were mistaken for kidnappers and killer herdsmen after local security stopped and searched the commercial truck conveying them.
However, local security uncovered guns, resulting in a mob attack by townspeople.
Tinubu, who expressed horror at the heinous incident on Thursday, commiserated with the victims’ families and told them that criminals would not be allowed to spill the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain.
“The president noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country,” the statement read.
Tinubu commended Okpebholo and community leaders in Uromi for their swift response to avert the escalation of tension.
