The Edo State Police Command has arrested 14 people in connection with the killing of travellers in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.
The victims, suspected to be hunters, were reportedly attacked and killed by a mob after being mistaken for criminals.
According to the police, the travellers were 16 in total. The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrests and said investigations were ongoing.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
The police explained that the victims were travelling in a truck with registration number KKF 225 XA from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to an unknown destination when they were stopped by vigilante members in Uromi.
Some of the travellers were found with locally made dane guns, leading to their arrest. However, during the process, some vigilante members raised an alarm, claiming they were kidnappers.
This triggered an attack by community members and passersby, resulting in the lynching of 16 of the travellers, while the truck was set on fire.
Police officers from the Uromi Division arrived at the scene and were able to rescue 10 of the travellers. Two of them sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
To prevent further violence, the police have deployed a unit of the Police Mobile Force and other tactical teams to the area.
The command has warned against any form of reprisal attacks and assured that investigations will continue to bring all those involved to justice.
