Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to ensure that those responsible for the brutal killing of travelers by local vigilantes in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, face the full weight of the law.
The Governor made this declaration during a visit to Uromi on Friday, March 28, 2025, where he assessed the aftermath of the tragic incident and met with community leaders and security agencies.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 27, 2025, when a group of travelers, who were reportedly coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were intercepted by members of a local vigilante group. The vigilantes, suspecting the travelers of being criminals due to their possession of locally fabricated firearms, took the law into their hands and subjected the victims to mob justice. The violent encounter resulted in the death of several travelers and led to the destruction of property through arson.
In his statement, Governor Okpebholo condemned the actions of the vigilante group in the strongest terms, describing the killings as “barbaric and unacceptable.” He emphasized that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances. “There is no justification for this kind of violence. If there were suspicions of criminal activity, the appropriate step should have been to hand over the suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, not to resort to mob action,” the Governor said.
Governor Okpebholo directed the Edo State Police Command and other security agencies to immediately launch a thorough and expedited investigation into the incident. He ordered that all individuals involved in the killings and destruction of property be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay. “Justice must be served, and those responsible for this heinous act will not escape the law,” he assured.
During his visit, the Governor held a closed-door meeting with senior officials of the Edo State Police Command, traditional leaders, and representatives from the affected community. He urged them to work closely with the police to identify the perpetrators and prevent further escalation of tension in the area.
Governor Okpebholo also called on the residents of Uromi and surrounding communities to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions. He stressed the importance of allowing law enforcement agencies to handle the matter professionally and in accordance with the law. “Peace and order must be maintained while we seek justice for the victims. Any form of revenge or violence will only complicate the situation and disrupt the peace in our state,” he stated.
The Governor commended community leaders, particularly the leadership of the Arewa community, for their measured and calm response to the situation. He acknowledged their efforts in preventing the incident from spiraling into wider conflict and called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate with the authorities.
“The role played by the Arewa community and other local leaders in calming tensions is commendable. We must continue to work together as a united community to prevent such unfortunate incidents from happening in the future,” Okpebholo said.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening community security while ensuring that vigilante groups operate within the bounds of the law. He stated that his government would review the operations and guidelines for local vigilante groups to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. “Security is important, but it must be done in a lawful manner. Vigilante groups must work under the supervision of the police and in line with the law,” he added.
The Governor further reassured the families of the victims that justice would be served, and the state government would offer them necessary support during this difficult period. “We stand with the families of the victims. The government will ensure that they receive the necessary assistance and that those responsible for their loss are held accountable,” Okpebholo stated.
The statement was signed by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, reinforcing the state government’s zero-tolerance policy for extrajudicial actions and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Governor Okpebholo’s swift response and clear directives reflect the state’s commitment to justice and the protection of citizens’ rights. The ongoing investigation by the Edo State Police Command is expected to yield swift results, with the state government closely monitoring the progress to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
