Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Thursday assured a visiting delegation of the Kano State government led by the deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, of openness in a joint investigation being carried out by the federal and the state governments into the extra-judicial killing of 16 indigenes of the state on March 27, 2025, at Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of the state.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the victims, who claimed to be hunters travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to the north for Sallah, were lynched when the Dangote Cement truck in which they were travelling was intercepted at Uromi by some vigilante members, and upon a search of the vehicle, cache of arms and huge sums of money were discovered fueling suspicion that they were kidnappers and subjected to jungle justice.
Responding to his visitors’ demand for transparency in their investigation, Okpebholo disclosed that the Federal, government, in collaboration with the state government, had set up a fact-finding committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The Governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not pleased with what happened and was determined to ensure that the state and country were safe for everybody to live and do business.
According to Senator Okpebholo, “This incident has opened our eyes, and we are ready to address a lot of issues about the country and how to make life better for us all. The president is not happy with what has happened, and he wants us to see to the end of this dastardly act.
“The President personally wants to see to the end of this issue. I want to also let you know that the President and Edo State Government have set up a committee to find out the remote cause(s) of the incident and put a lasting solution to the issue.
“This report you have submitted will actually help us so that we do not have to worry you. A lot will be done and made open to the public to know what the committee is doing on the issue.
“We are a peace-loving people in Edo State. We love those living with us in the state. Kano and Edo States have been collaborating in the area of commerce and industry,” he stated.
Briefing Governor Okpebholo on the purpose of their visit, the deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo explained that they came to thank the governor for the peaceful steps he took when he came to Kano State in respect of the Uromi incident.
Reiterating its call for justice in the case, the Kano government confirmed that 16 of its indigenes from five local government areas lost their lives in the mob attack orchestrated by members of a vigilante team who suspected them to be kidnappers having been found with cache of arms and ammunition and a huge amount of money.
The leader of the delegation sent by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf informed Governor Okpebholo that “The Governor of Kano State set up a committee to screen and verify, to establish the names, numbers, next of kin and those who survived the attack”.
The deputy governor said the committee had been able “to carry out these activities and we have come out with a report which we are here to submit to your Excellency”.
Reminding Governor Okpebholo of his promise that justice would be served, Gwarzo said “we believe you on this Mr. Governor. We need a transparent process on this issue. Sixteen persons lost their dear lives from five local government areas of Kano State”.
Governor Okpebholo and the Kano delegation later visited Uromi, the scene of crime, where they met with members of the Hausa community in the area.