The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has issued a stern condemnation of the brutal lynching of northern hunters in Edo State, vowing that justice will be served. He described the gruesome killings as a senseless act of violence that could have been avoided if due process had been followed.
The victims, who were returning from Rivers State to their homes in Kano for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, were intercepted on March 27, 2025, by a vigilante group and armed youths. Reports indicate that they were forcibly removed from their vehicle, mercilessly beaten, tied to used tyres, doused in petrol, and set ablaze in a horrifying act of mob justice. Disturbing videos circulating online captured their harrowing final moments, showing them pleading for their lives as onlookers cheered.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the CDS urged Nigerians to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. He emphasized that security agencies, including the police and military, are trained to handle such matters professionally and justly.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will collaborate closely with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly brought to justice,” General Musa stated.
He further called for the mandatory registration of all local hunters and vigilante groups with the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to regulate the possession and use of firearms. Additionally, he urged vigilante groups to report suspicious activities to the authorities rather than resorting to extrajudicial measures.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters confirmed that 16 of the victims were buried on Saturday at Udune Efandion community in Uromi, Edo State. With three more burials reported, the total death toll now stands at 19.
The horrifying killings have sparked nationwide outrage, with political leaders, rights activists, and citizens demanding immediate action against the perpetrators. Calls for a thorough investigation and swift arrests have intensified, as the nation grapples with yet another episode of extrajudicial killings.
Security operatives, including the police, military, and DSS, have launched a manhunt for those responsible, promising that no stone will be left unturned in the quest for justice. The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for community policing reforms and stronger measures against mob violence in Nigeria.
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