Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed that justice will be served for the 16 northern travelers killed in Uromi, Edo State. Speaking during a visit to Kano to express condolences to the state government and its citizens, Okpebholo confirmed that 14 suspects have already been arrested in connection with the tragic incident.
“The incident in Uromi felt personal to me. I received the information at night, and by 4 a.m., I was already set to travel there. I couldn’t wait to board an aircraft because I needed to be there as soon as possible,” Okpebholo said, highlighting his immediate response to the tragedy.
The governor assured that significant progress had been made in the investigation, with President Bola Tinubu directing security forces to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended. “So far, we have arrested about 14 suspects,” he stated. “The Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspector General at Force Headquarters to take over the investigation. After the holiday, the suspects will be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation, and more arrests will follow.”
In a separate address, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf condemned any form of reprisal attacks, emphasizing that justice must be pursued through legal channels. “Reprisal is not the solution because it affects innocent people. As leaders, we must come together to fight this unfortunate trend,” Yusuf stressed.
He further called on security agencies to publicly parade the suspects to provide reassurance to the victims’ families and the public. “We want to see the perpetrators physically paraded. That will bring some relief to the families and the people of Kano,” Yusuf added.
Governor Okpebholo is also scheduled to visit the families of the victims in Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State, as part of efforts to support the grieving community.