Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has strongly condemned the killing of several persons in Uromi, the Esan North East Local Government Area, calling the act barbaric. The victims, who were reportedly travelers, were allegedly killed by vigilante members on Thursday on suspicion of being criminals.
Following the tragedy, the governor visited the community and ordered a full-scale investigation to uncover those responsible.
“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book,” his spokesman, Fred Itua, stated.
Governor Okpebholo also commended the Arewa community leaders in Uromi for handling the situation with restraint and helping to prevent further violence. He assured the public that justice will be served, emphasizing that no group should take the law into their own hands.
“There is no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Atiku and Kwankwaso Call for Justice
The killings have sparked widespread outrage, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also condemning the incident.
Atiku described the killings as deeply saddening and called for a transparent investigation.
“This unfortunate incident demands a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to uncover and ensure that those responsible are brought to book,” he wrote on his X account.
He urged security agencies to take swift action to prevent a recurrence of jungle justice, warning that public confidence in law enforcement is at stake.
Kwankwaso echoed Atiku’s sentiments, calling the killings harrowing and unacceptable. He criticized the growing trend of mob justice, urging authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“This is another sad reminder of the barbarity of jungle justice,” he said. “The government must launch a full-scale investigation and ensure justice is served.”
Nigerians Must Reject Jungle Justice
The Uromi killings have once again brought attention to the dangers of mob justice in Nigeria. Innocent people lost their lives, yet some still justify such lawlessness. How do you explain killing travelers based on mere suspicion?
The tragedy reminds Nigerians of the Aluu 4 incident, where four students were murdered over false accusations. Have we learned nothing?
Jungle justice is not justice—it is murder. Nigerians must demand a functional legal system that punishes criminals through due process, not through mob executions. If nothing is done, this cycle of violence will continue.
