Edo State’s Governor Monday Okpebholo arrived at the Kano State Government House today Monday to convey condolences to the government and families of the 16 victims killed by a mob that suspected them of being kidnappers in Uromi area last week Thursday.
The victims, mostly from Kano and other northern states, were reportedly ambushed and killed in Uromi, a town in Edo’s Esan North-East Local Government Area.
Protest against the killings have erupted in Kano, Katsina and parts of Kaduna as citizens demand justice and better security for Northerners residing in the South.
During his visit, Governor Monday Okpebholo assured the Kano State Government that his administration was working with security agencies to investigate the killings and bring those responsible to justice.
He also expressed sympathy for the bereaved families, emphasizing that violence against any ethnic or religious group must not be tolerated.
Similarly, Okpebholo paid a condolence visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, at home in the Maitama residence in Abuja on Monday.
The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, said the Governor extended his condolences to the Deputy President of the Senate, who is from Kano State, pledging that the state government will assist the families of the victims.
The Edo State governor disclosed that the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killings of the innocent travellers would be taken to Abuja for further interrogation.
While assuring that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law, he described the killings of the innocent travellers as unfortunate and condemnable.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy.
“The President is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also. The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects. They are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”
Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction. And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.”
“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.
“If they are brought to justice, it would serve as a deterrent to those who might want to do this in future. I know that people from other parts of the country have been staying with your people in Edo for centuries in a very conducive atmosphere. And this barbaric act has never happened. I’m sure, under your watch, this will not happen again.
“I thank you very much. You’ve told me now that you’ll meet the Kano State governor today. This is very good. Please continue what you are doing. Mr President also told us that you are doing very well in this direction, and we have seen it because, as I said, we have spoken several times on this matter in the last 72 hours.”
