Governor Monday Okpebholo arrived at the Kano State Government House at noon, where he was welcomed by Governor Abba Yusuf and other officials. His visit followed the tragic killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, by members of a local vigilante group who allegedly mistook them for criminals.
The victims, reportedly hunters, were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano State for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations when they were attacked.
During his visit, Okpebholo expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the people of Kano and the families of those killed. He highlighted the long-standing friendly relationship between the Hausa community and the people of Edo. He also assured that justice would be served, revealing that 14 suspects had already been arrested and transferred to Abuja for further investigation.
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Governor Yusuf, in response, demanded that those responsible for the killings be publicly paraded and brought to justice. He emphasized Kano’s reputation as one of the most peaceful states in northern Nigeria, known for embracing people from various backgrounds. He appreciated Okpebholo’s swift response and urged for the immediate prosecution of those arrested to ensure justice prevails.
Both governors stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence as they visited Toronkawa village in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.
The brutal killings have sparked widespread condemnation, with President Bola Tinubu directing security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are punished. In a statement on Friday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the president was shocked by the incident and had ordered law enforcement agencies to take swift action.
