The Edo State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in connection with the brutal killing of 16 travellers along the Uromi/Obajana Expressway in the Udune Efandion Community, Edo State. The deadly attack, which took place on March 27, 2025, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the growing issue of mob violence and vigilante justice in the state.
The victims, who were part of a group of 25 travellers, were travelling in a truck with the registration number KKF 225 XA, which was transporting them from Elele in Rivers State. According to the police, the group was ambushed by local vigilantes after they were suspected of being armed with locally made dane guns.
The truck was intercepted by the vigilante group at Uromi, a town in Edo State. Upon stopping the vehicle, the vigilantes discovered some of the travellers in possession of weapons, including locally made guns. This raised alarm within the community, and some vigilante members quickly accused the group of being kidnappers.
As tensions escalated, the vigilantes, along with some passersby, began attacking the travellers, eventually lynching 16 of them. In addition to the killings, the truck transporting the victims was set ablaze by the mob.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement released on Thursday. He explained that the alarm raised by the vigilantes led to a violent mob reaction. The police were alerted, and officers attached to the Uromi Division quickly responded to the scene.
The police were able to rescue 10 of the remaining travellers, two of whom sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital. Thankfully, they are currently responding positively to treatment.
In the wake of the tragic attack, the police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the lynching. According to CSP Yamu, 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime. The suspects are now being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation into the mob killing.
The police also held an emergency meeting with community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss the incident and explore ways to prevent such violence from happening again.
To ensure peace and order in the area, the police have deployed a unit of the Police Mobile Force along with other tactical teams. This measure aims to prevent any further escalation of tensions and to maintain public safety in the aftermath of the killings.
The Commissioner of Police, in a statement, called for peaceful coexistence among the various groups within the community. She also urged the residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
CSP Yamu also cautioned against any form of reprisal attacks or unlawful gatherings, which could further inflame the already tense situation.
The lynching of the 16 travellers has reignited discussions about the rise of vigilante justice and jungle justice in Nigeria. Vigilante groups, often made up of community members, have been established in many parts of the country to combat crime. However, their actions can sometimes go too far, leading to tragic consequences.
In this case, the vigilantes in Uromi took matters into their own hands, using violence to deal with the suspected criminals. While some argue that vigilante groups are necessary in areas where law enforcement is limited, incidents like the Uromi lynching highlight the dangers of taking justice into one’s own hands without the oversight of formal legal authorities.
The problem of jungle justice, where suspects are punished without trial, has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria. Mob killings like the one in Uromi are not isolated incidents; similar cases have occurred in various parts of the country, often resulting in innocent people being wrongly accused and killed by angry mobs.
The Uromi incident raises important questions about the role of vigilante groups in Nigerian communities and the need for greater regulation and oversight. Many Nigerians are concerned that, without proper guidance, such groups could continue to fuel a cycle of violence, leading to more deaths and further undermining trust in the justice system.
Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, also issued a statement expressing his sorrow over the incident. He assured the public that the state government would work closely with the police to ensure justice for the victims and to prevent further violence. The Governor also commended the swift response of the police in rescuing the survivors and bringing those responsible for the killings to justice.
The deadly lynching in Edo State highlights the growing problem of mob violence across Nigeria. In many parts of the country, there is a deep sense of frustration with the justice system, leading some individuals to take the law into their own hands. This situation is exacerbated by the prevalence of rumors and misinformation, which can quickly turn a community against suspected criminals.
The Uromi lynching is just one example of how mob justice has taken hold in Nigeria. While the government has made efforts to address this issue, it remains a serious problem in many areas, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions where the rule of law is weak
