14 suspects arrested over Edo killing after President Tinubu’s directive
14 suspects arrested over Edo killing after President Tinubu’s directive
Edo State Police have apprehended 14 individuals in connection with the tragic deaths of 16 travelers who were brutally murdered by a mob in Uromi on Thursday.
The victims, believed to be hunters, were killed on suspicion of being criminals.
In a statement issued on Friday, Moses Yamu, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the arrests, stating that the investigation is ongoing.
He explained that authorities are working diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
“Fourteen suspects have been arrested as part of the investigation into this horrific crime,” Yamu said.
“An emergency meeting with key stakeholders and local community members was also held to discuss the situation and work towards restoring peace.”
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
