The inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Abubakar, to take over the case of violent mob action carried out against a group of travellers by a local vigilante group in Uromi, Edo State.
The IGP charged the DIG to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation, while assuring the public that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remained committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions under any guise.
It would be recalled that the group of individuals, who were travelling in a truck and claimed to be hunters, were found in possession of 19 locally fabricated firearms when intercepted by the vigilantes, who were not satisfied with the excuse of being hunters to be in possession of such number of arms.
Regrettably, without allowing for due process or proper investigation into their claims, the vigilante group, who concluded that they were kidnappers, subjected some of them to unlawful mob justice, resulting in tragic consequences and killings of some of them.
In an immediate response, the Edo State Police Command deployed operatives to the affected community, restoring law and order.
The police said so far, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a manhunt has been launched for other perpetrators involved in the mob action.
Meanwhile, the IGP has appealed for calm and urged members of the public to cooperate fully with the investigation.
He emphasised that anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.
Additionally, while condemning the resort to jungle justice, the Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the unlawful possession of firearms remains a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
“Individuals in possession of unlicensed firearms are advised to report to the nearest police station to surrender such weapons or initiate the appropriate licensing process,” the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated.
