Leadnaija
The Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said the local vigilante group involved in the gruesome lynching of some travellers on March 27, 2025, at Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo state were illegal.
He declared that a review of the unfortunate incident indicated that the said vigilantes were never profiled or registered with the Edo State Security Corps.
Okpebholo said thier actions do not reflect the core values, character and principles of his administration, or the objectives of the corps as enshrined in the State Security Corps Law.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq. the governor “ordered the immediate suspension of all illegal Vigilante Groups operating under whatever guise in the State.”
Okpebholo also suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP. Friday Ibadin (Rtd.).
The statement explained that the Government is in touch with families of the victims, community leaders and the Government of Kano State, where most of the deceased are reported to hail from.
It reiterated the governor’s belief in the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens to move freely or engage in lawful business in any part of the country.
The governor urged all parties involved to remain calm, noting that the State Government remain committed to ensure that justice is done in a most efficient, transparent and proactive manner.
He said investigations into the killings are on-going, adding that 14 persons have been arrested, in addition to an intense manhunt for others involved in the gruesome killing by a special team set up by the Inspector General of Police.
The Edo state police command had said the incident occurred when a truck coming from Port-Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi.
A statement issued on Friday by the State police spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, said, “some of the travelers were found to be in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested.
He added: “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 16 of the occupants.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, said it was deeply alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in the State, which according to it, has now culminated in the gruesome killing of innocent travelers.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by its State publicity secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare.
The party said: “the government classification of the perpetrators as an illegal vigilante group further exposed the absence of a coherent security framework under the current administration and a continuation of the blame game this government has come to master.”
It added,.”the suspension of the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP. Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), is a clear admission by the government that the security architecture of the state has failed.”
Nehikhare said the February 5, mutiny by members of the Edo Security Corps was an early warning sign of deep-rooted inefficiencies, noting, “yet Senator Monday Okpebholo chose to ignore it. Now, Edo people are paying the price with their lives.
He called for the deployment of Federal Security Agencies to the state, pointing out, “given the state government’s apparent inability to maintain law and order, federal intervention is now necessary to stabilize the situation.” CONTINUE READING
