The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has reacted to the recent violent mob action against a group of alleged travelling hunters along the Uromi-Obajana Road, Edo State.
The IGP strongly condemned the violent mob action carried out against the group of travelers by a local vigilante group.
This is following President Bola Tinubu's Friday's directive to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure that the killers of the northern hunters were brought to justice and punished in accordance with the law.
DAILY POST reports that the victims, who were on their way from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Kano State to celebrate the Sallah festivities, were intercepted on Thursday and tragically killed by local vigilantes in the Uromi community of Esan North Local Government Area, Edo State.
According to reports, the local vigilantes mistakenly identified the hunters as kidnappers terrorising the area.
Some of the victims were reportedly burnt alive, while others were beaten to death by the mob.
The travelers were said to have been found in possession of nineteen (19) locally fabricated firearms when intercepted by the vigilantes.
The vigilantes were said to have wondered how the individuals claiming to be hunters were in possession of such a number of arms and concluded they were kidnappers.
Regrettably, without allowing for due process or proper investigation into their claims, the vigilante group subjected some of them to unlawful mob justice, resulting in tragic consequences.
In immediate response, the Edo State Police Command deployed operatives to the affected community, restoring law and order.
So far, fourteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a manhunt has been launched for other perpetrators involved in the mob action.
A statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, said that the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, DIG Sadiq Abubakar, to take over the case and ensure a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation.
The statement added that the IGP assured the public that the police remained committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions under any guise.
The IGP further appealed for calm and urged members of the public to cooperate fully with the investigation, emphasizing that anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.
However, the statement added that “the Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the unlawful possession of firearms remains a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
“Individuals in possession of unlicensed firearms are advised to report to the nearest police station to surrender such weapons or initiate the appropriate licensing process.”
The Force warned the public “to desist from taking the law into their hands and encourages the prompt reporting of suspicious activities to lawful authorities.”
