By Kolawole Ojebisi
President Bola Tinubu has ordered police and other security agencies to begin manhunt in earnest for the killers of travelling hunters in Edo State.
He also ordered conduct of thorough investigations into what he described as “jungle justice”
Tinubu gave the directive while condemning the tragic development which happened at Uromi community of Esan North Local Government of the state on Thursday.
This directive is contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu directs manhunt for killers of hunters in Edo.’
President Tinubu has “directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” the statement reads in part.
Recall that the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, revealed on Thursday that at least seven persons, now identified as hunters, were set ablaze and killed in a mob attack in Uromi part of the state.
Initial investigations revealed that the victims, northern Hausa hunters, were mistaken for kidnappers and killer herdsmen after local security stopped and searched the commercial truck conveying them.
However, local security discovered guns, triggering a mob attack by residents.
Tinubu, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, commiserated with the families of the affected victims and assured them that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain.
“The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country,” the statement read.
President Tinubu also commended the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and community leaders in Uromi for their swift response to avert the escalation of tension.
