Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, visited his counterpart in Kano State, Abba Yusuf, to express condolences regarding the tragic killings of 16 travelers who were en route to Kano last Friday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the visit took place at the Kano State Government House at noon, where Okpebholo was welcomed by Yusuf and other government officials.
The deceased travelers, who were identified as hunters, were shot by members of a vigilante group in Uromi, Edo State, who believed they were criminals.
The group was traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations when the incident occurred.
During his visit, Governor Okpebholo conveyed his sympathies to the people of Kano and the families affected by the tragedy, expressing his sadness upon learning of the event. He emphasized the importance of the strong relationship between the Hausa community and the people of Edo State.
In response to the incident, he assured the public that 14 individuals had been arrested and relocated to Abuja for further interrogation, promising swift justice.
Governor Yusuf, on his part, called for those responsible for the killings to be publicly paraded. He reiterated Kano’s reputation as the most peaceful state in northern Nigeria, known for its inclusivity of various communities.
Yusuf expressed gratitude to Okpebholo for his timely visit and highlighted the need for the prompt prosecution of the arrested individuals to ensure justice.
Both governors emphasised the necessity of peaceful coexistence during their visit to Toronkawa village in the Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.
The brutal act has drawn widespread condemnation, and President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to identify and apprehend those involved in the killings.
“The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Friday.
