Okpebholo Suspends Security Chief After 16 Hunters Killed in Edo
Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited – March 31, 2025
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has taken decisive action following the tragic killing of 16 hunters in the Uromi area. In response, he has suspended the commander of the Edo State Security Corps and banned all unregistered vigilante groups in the state.
According to an official statement from the Edo State Government, the governor suspended Friday Ibadin, the commander of the Edo State Security Corps, after the hunters were killed on Thursday, March 27. The victims, who were traveling from Elele in Rivers State, were attacked by a mob in Uromi. Police investigations revealed that a local vigilante group mistook them for kidnappers after discovering 19 locally made firearms in their possession.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the killings face justice.
The governor’s statement clarified that the vigilante group involved in the killings was operating illegally. “It is to be reiterated that the local vigilante group involved in the gruesome killing of 27th March was never profiled or registered with Edo State Security Corps,” the statement read.
The government further condemned the actions of the group, stating that they “do not reflect the core values, character, and principles of the Okpebholo administration, or the objectives of the corps as enshrined in the Edo State Security Corps Governance Law.”
So far, 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the killings, and a special team set up by the Inspector General of Police is pursuing other suspects.
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ constitutional rights, including the right to move freely and conduct lawful business anywhere in the country. Officials are currently engaging with the victims’ families, community leaders, and representatives from Kano State, where most of the deceased reportedly hailed from.
The statement concluded by urging residents to remain calm, assuring them that “the State Government remains committed to ensuring that justice is done in a most efficient, transparent, and proactive manner.”
