NIGERIA: Families And Fellow Hunters Of Lynched Travellers Vow To Seek Justice Or Revenge

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Relatives and colleagues of the 16 hunters brutally killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, have warned that they will take matters into their own hands if the authorities fail to arrest and prosecute the individuals responsible for the deaths.

The victims were en route from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebrations when they were ambushed and lynched by vigilantes, who suspected them of being kidnappers. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across the country.

The majority of the deceased hunters hailed from Toranke, Bunkure Local Government Area in Kano State.

In an interview with the press, the grieving relatives and friends expressed that only justice could ease their pain. A community leader and fellow hunter from Toranke, Alhaji Musa Dogo, emphasized that the killers must be held accountable.

He said: “We cannot let this crime go unpunished. The hunters who were killed were our brothers. We trained together, fought criminals together, and safeguarded our communities together.

“If the government does not arrest and prosecute those responsible, we will take action ourselves. We know how to track down wrongdoers, and we won’t hesitate to act if justice is not served.”

Bala Danburan, another hunter, stood beside Dogo and echoed his sentiments. “We know how to infiltrate Uromi and seek revenge if no justice is delivered. This is not a threat, it’s a promise. We have buried too many of our own, and we cannot continue like this. If the government fails us, we will act.”

The families also called for the case to be moved to a Kano State court, pointing to an earlier instance in which the Kano State Government facilitated the transfer of a suspect to Bayelsa over an alleged kidnapping.

Dogo added: “If other states can request cases to be handled in their own jurisdiction, why can’t we? This is a matter of fairness. We want the case brought to Kano so we can follow it closely and ensure it is not swept under the rug.”

Another resident of Bunkure and fellow hunter, Alhaji Usman Bako, criticized the government for neglecting local security personnel like hunters, who risk their lives fighting crime. He warned that if the authorities failed to take swift action, hunters might withdraw from joint operations.

Bako said: “If the government continues to ignore us and fails to punish those responsible, we may be forced to act alone. We cannot keep dying in silence.”

Malam Sani Umar, another relative, shared his anguish, revealing that his younger brother, Yahaya Umar, was among the victims.

He said Yahaya left behind a wife and four children. “He was a courageous man who always put others’ safety first,” Umar said, fighting back tears. “How can we accept this? Those responsible are still free, and we are left with nothing but grief,” he said.

Hafsat Ibrahim, who lost her son, Nasiru, described him as the family’s pillar. “He was the backbone of our family. Now who will take care of us? “We demand justice. The killers must face punishment, and the government should compensate our families.” she emphasized.

While the governors of Edo and Kano states recently visited the families to offer condolences, the victims’ relatives emphasized that a visit alone was not enough. They demanded concrete action, arrests, prosecutions, and punishment of the perpetrators.

One of the relatives noted: “If the government does not act swiftly, it will only encourage more killings,” We are not just mourning; we are demanding justice, and we will not rest until it is delivered.”

Meanwhile, tensions ran high in Sokoto State following reports of possible protests over the killings. Many shops in Igbo-dominated areas of the city were shut down as a precaution, with business owners fearing retaliation or looting.

However, the police have assured the public that they were ready to maintain peace and order.

In Uromi, where the lynching took place, the area remained deserted, with residents avoiding contact with the police or fear of arrest. Local commercial activities, including motorcycling and trading, were halted.

A local resident named John explained, “The area has been deserted since the killings. No one wants to risk being arrested or facing reprisal. I hope the government acts swiftly to end the suffering caused by kidnappers and criminal groups in this region.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, stated that Governor Monday Okpehbolo was committed to resolving the state’s security issues, and that the amount of compensation for the families would be announced once finalized.