Security operatives have arrested 14 suspects in connection with the killing of seven armed travellers who were set ablaze by a mob in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The travellers in a truck at Udune Efandion Community on Uromi/Obajana Expressway, Edo State, on 27th March, 2025, the Nigeria police Command in Edo State said late Friday.
Spokesman for the Nigeria Police Command in the State, CSP Moses Yamu who confirmed this in a statement, said the incident occurred when the truck marked KKF 225 XA moving from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State.
CSP Yamu, revealed that the truck was conveying 25 travellers from Elele when it was accosted by some vigilante group members in Uromi.
He said when 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 16 of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
Upon a search, some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested, while 10 of the travellers were rescued.
In addition, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.
He vowed justice for the victims, noting that an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the Community to address the situation.
The police spokesman also said a Unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other Command Tactical teams have been deployed to the area to forestall breakdown of law and order in the locality.
In the meantime the Commissioner of Police has reiterated the need for peaceful coexistence among various groups, and urges residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
The Commissioner also cautioned against any form of reprisal attacks or unlawful gatherings that may further escalate tensions.
Similarly, President Bola Tinubu has ordered manhunt for killers of the travellers and ordered a full scale investigation into the criminal act.
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