The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has strongly denounced the killing of northern hunters traveling through Edo State, emphasizing that the tragic incident could have been prevented if proper authorities had been involved in verifying the victims’ identities.
The attack took place on March 28, 2025, as the victims were on their way home from Rivers State to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with their families. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS urged Nigerians to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, stressing that security matters should always be handled by trained professionals.
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“The police, military, and other security agencies are fully equipped to address such issues,” he stated.
General Musa assured the public that the Nigerian Armed Forces would collaborate closely with the police and other relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
He further emphasized the need for all local hunters and vigilante groups to register with the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), or other legally mandated agencies overseeing firearm possession. He also urged vigilante groups to report any security concerns to law enforcement for proper action.
“He calls for calm and urges citizens to continue supporting the Armed Forces and security agencies as they carry out their constitutional responsibilities diligently,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, reports confirm that the 16 lynched victims were laid to rest on Saturday in Udune Efandion community, Uromi. Additionally, three more victims have been buried, bringing the total number of burials to 19.
The victims, identified as hunters traveling from Rivers State to Kano for the Eid celebrations, were allegedly stopped by a local vigilante group and armed youths on March 27. Reports indicate that they were forcibly removed from their vehicle, brutally beaten, and tied to old tyres before being set on fire with petrol. Shocking videos circulating online show the victims pleading for their lives while a crowd looked on and cheered.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with political leaders and citizens condemning the act and demanding swift justice for the perpetrators.
