Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Monday paid a condolence visit to the families of victims killed by Edo Vigilantes group in Uromi, Edo State on March 27, 2025.
Some of the victims are said be from Bankure Local Government Area of Kano State.
This as the Esan Descendants Assembly Worldwide (EDA) has condemned the killing of the travelers.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Okpebholo described the attack as unfortunate and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“I was deeply touched when I received the news of the incident at night. By 4 a.m., I left Abuja and rushed to Uromi to meet with the affected families. During my campaign, your people supported me, and I stand with you in this time of grief. I extend my condolences to the people of Kano State and pray for the eternal rest of the victims’ souls.
“We have made significant progress in our investigations. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not happy about this incident and has directed security agencies to go after the culprits. I can assure you that justice will prevail.
“So far, about 14 suspects have been arrested, and after the holiday, they will be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. More arrests will follow as investigations continue,” Governor Okpebholo stated.
In response, the Governor of Kano State commended Governor Okpebholo for his swift intervention and support to the bereaved families.
“We appreciate the Governor of Edo State for his prompt response to this tragic event. It is well known that our people were returning from Port Harcourt when they were brutally murdered. The majority of the victims were from two local governments in Kano State.
Governor Okpebholo immediately visited the scene, ensured that the corpses were retrieved, and arranged for their proper burial.
“He also made commitments to support the affected families, and I can confirm that he has fulfilled those promises.
“We trust his assurance that the culprits will be brought to book, as justice remains our utmost priority. The people of Kano are peaceful and hospitable. This tragedy serves as a lesson to all, and I urge all leaders across Nigeria to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens, regardless of their location. Governor Okpebholo’s visit today is a mark of true leadership, and we appreciate his gesture.”
Speaking on behalf of the Arewa community in Edo State, Badamasi Sally reaffirmed the longstanding cordial relationship between the northern community and Edo people, emphasizing that the unfortunate event should not be used to tarnish the State’s image.
“I was born and raised in Edo State, and we have always maintained a peaceful relationship with the people here. This incident should not be used to create division or smear the reputation of the Edo State Government. The swift response of the state government was commendable. Moreover, it was the people of Uromi who rescued some of the victims from the assailants. This tragedy will not change our bond with the people of Edo.”
Fred Akhigbe, leader of the Edo community in Kano, also expressed appreciation for Governor Okpebholo’s visit, urging both communities to maintain peace and unity.
“We are grateful to the governor of Edo State for personally coming to Kano to express his condolences. When this tragic incident happened, there was apprehension, but we are reassured by the swift actions taken by both state governments. We sympathize with the people of Kano State and pray for the victims.
“I have lived in Kano for 52 years, and we must remember that we are all one. There is no need for conflict between us. We commend both governors for their leadership and commitment to justice.”
Governor Okpebholo’s visit underscores his administration’s commitment to justice and national unity. The State Government had assured that security agencies will continue working to ensure that those responsible for the killings are apprehended and prosecuted.
However, the Esan Descendants Assembly (EDA) Worldwide has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the brutal murder of some Nigerians who were travelling home for the festival in Uromi, Edo State.
In a statement issued by EDA Chairman, Prof. Godwin. Okogun, and General Secretary, Saintmoses Eromosele (SME), the Pan-Esan organization condemned the killings, calling the act a “senseless tragedy” and an “abomination that has brought shame upon the land.
“Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six—but multiple human lives, flesh, spirit, and bone—were reduced to ashes,” the statement lamented, describing the horror as a stain on the conscience of Esanland.
While distancing the broader Esan community from the heinous act, asserting it may have been carried out by “non-indigenous residents among us,” the Assembly acknowledged the collective moral burden. “This tragedy weighs on us all, settling like the dry-season dust upon every roof—guilty or innocent,” the statement said.
Expressing profound remorse, the EDA extended heartfelt apologies to the families of the victims. “Our apology is not out of mere politeness but from the anguish of shared humanity. No man deserves to be judged by fire. No mother should be handed her child’s ashes.”
Beyond condemnation, the Assembly highlighted the worsening security situation in Uromi and its environs, warning that residents now live in perpetual fear amid rampant kidnappings, lawlessness, and government inaction.
“For several planting seasons—especially in recent years—Uromi and neighboring towns have groaned under the weight of unchecked criminality: kidnappers striking day and night, rapists and bandits violating homes and farmlands, killers roaming freely through markets,” the statement asserted.
The EDA decried the “deafening silence” of security agencies and government officials, lamenting delayed interventions and the unfulfilled promise of the Esan Mobile Police Squadron Barracks.
While acknowledging that mob actions often stem from deep-seated frustrations with insecurity, the EDA firmly denounced vigilante justice. “Justice may have been distant, but revenge is no solution. We must not descend into barbarism. Esanland is not a jungle.”
Emphasizing Esan’s legacy of dignity and honor, the Assembly cited the region’s revered kings, scholars, warriors, healers, and religious figures who have shaped Nigeria and the world.
The EDA called on Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army’s 4th Mechanized Brigade, and all relevant authorities to take decisive action to secure Edo Central.
“They must not only rise in outrage after the blood has been spilled, but with determination to prevent such horrors from occurring,” the statement urged. “They must protect the living with the same urgency with which they now count the dead.”
The statement concluded with a solemn appeal: “Enough blood has been shed. Enough tears have fallen. Let us reject mob justice—never again must we take the law into our own hands. Let us extinguish this fire before it engulfs us all.”
Echezona Okafor.
