Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of the killers of some hunters who were travelling along the Uromi community of Esan North Local Government of Edo State.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy in a statement issued on Friday, March 28, said the Tinubu also condemned the killing of the hunters who were intercepted by local vigilantes in the Edo community.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed shock over such barbaric act against the hunters accused of being kidnappers.
The directive by the president followed reports that some travellers suspected to be hunters from the Northern part of the country were intercepted along Uromi community of Esan North Local Government of Edo State.
The hunters – 16 of them – were intercepted by local security agents operating in the area and were further accused of being kidnappers. They were instantly killed and some burnt to death over the allegation.
Ordering the Inspector General of Police and heads of other security agents to carry out a detailed investigation into the matter, the president also directed the arrest and immediate prosecution of the killers.
He said, “The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits.
President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the affected victims and assured them that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians,” he said.
Onanuga also stated that leading or participating in jungle justice or mob killing would not be tolerated in any part of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu commended the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and community leaders in Uromi for their swift response to avert the escalation of tension,” Onanuga stated.
