The Edo State Police Command says its operatives have arrested 14 suspects in connection with the killing of 16 travellers and the torching of their truck in Uromi town.
On Thursday, a mob allegedly attacked and killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano.
The incident happened on the Uromi/Obajana expressway under the Esan north-east LGA of Edo.
According to reports, a truck carrying 25 travellers from Elele, Rivers, was intercepted by a vigilante group.
The travellers were assaulted and lynched after some vigilante members accused them of being kidnappers, but 10 were rescued, and two injured ones remain in the hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu ordered the police and other security agencies to swiftly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a statement on Friday evening, Moses Yamu, the police spokesperson in Edo, said members of the vigilante group found some locally made guns with them, sparking suspicion that they were kidnappers.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm, claiming the travellers were suspected kidnappers,” the statement reads.
“This led some community members and passers-by to attack and lynch 16 occupants, and the truck conveying them was also set on fire.
“Police operatives from the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly moved to the scene.
“In the course of investigations, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
“An emergency meeting was also convened with stakeholders and community members.”
The police spokesperson said the command is committed to securing justice for the victims, adding that every possible measure would be taken in the ongoing investigation.
Yamu added that a unit of mobile police force and other tactical teams have been sent to the area to prevent any further disruption of law and order.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, has implored groups to coexist peacefully and called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the security operatives.
The commissioner added that any form of reprisal attack or unlawful gathering that could escalate tensions should be avoided.
