A tragic incident in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, has drawn widespread condemnation after 16 Northern travelers were brutally killed by a mob on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
The victims, primarily Hausa hunters, were falsely accused of being kidnappers, leading to their horrific murder, which has reignited concerns over mob justice in Nigeria.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, expressed deep sorrow over the killings in a statement on X at 19:03 UTC on March 28, 2025.
“The news of the killings of Northern travellers in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, is deeply saddening,” Obi said.
He described such acts of violence as “abhorrent,” emphasizing that they “had no place in our society yesterday, just as they should have no place in any decent society today.”
The incident unfolded when the travelers, en route from Port Harcourt to Kano for Sallah festivities, were intercepted by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The discovery of dane guns—commonly used by hunters in the North—led to a false alarm, inciting local youths to attack the group.
The mob set the travelers’ truck ablaze, killing 16 on the spot, with some bodies burned inside the vehicle.
Four survivors were rescued and are receiving treatment at His Grace Hospital in Uromi, while five suspects have been arrested, according to authorities.
Obi condemned the resort to extrajudicial measures, stating, “While addressing security concerns and combating criminal activities is crucial, resorting to extrajudicial measures undermines the rule of law and exacerbates the cycle of violence.”
He commended the government for initiating an investigation but urged authorities to also address the killings of Edo indigenes to ensure justice for all.
“Every Nigerian, regardless of ethnic or regional background, has the right to move freely and safely within our nation,” he added.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, ordering a probe into the killings.
Obi stressed the need for systemic change, saying, “This tragic event yesterday underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and increased public awareness to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
He called for collaboration between communities and law enforcement to ensure justice is pursued through legal channels rather than unlawful actions.
Obi extended his condolences to the victims’ families, concluding, “Let us all work together to foster a society where peace, unity, and respect for human life prevail.”
The killings have heightened fears of ethnic tensions, with the Hausa community in Uromi holding an emergency peace meeting to prevent reprisals.
The incident also follows a pattern of mob violence in Nigeria, with Amnesty International reporting 555 victims of such acts between 2012 and 2023, often fueled by distrust in law enforcement and weak legal systems.
As investigations continue, Nigerians are demanding swift justice to address this growing crisis of extrajudicial violence.
