Mob Lynching of Northern Hunters in Uromi Edo State, Nigeria Sparks National Outrage

In a tragic incident on March 28, 2025, sixteen hunters from northern Nigeria were brutally lynched in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The victims were traveling from Rivers State to Kano for the upcoming Sallah celebration when their truck was intercepted by a local vigilante group at Udune Efandion. Upon discovering locally made Dane guns—standard equipment for traditional hunters—the vigilantes suspected them of being kidnappers. This suspicion escalated into a violent mob attack, resulting in the lynching of 16 individuals.

Viral footage of the incident showed the victims being tied to used tires, doused in petrol, and set ablaze, with onlookers recording and cheering.

The Edo State Police Command swiftly responded, launching an investigation that led to the arrest of 14 suspects allegedly involved in the attack. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, detailed the events, noting that the travelers were stopped by local vigilantes, and during the process, an alarm was raised labeling them as suspected kidnappers, which incited the violent mob attack.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack, describing it as an act of jungle justice, and directed security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice. Similarly, political figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over the incident, calling for justice and emphasizing that such acts have no place in a just and orderly society.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns over the prevalence of mob justice in the country. Authorities have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and have urged citizens to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.