Twelve months after the brutal lynching of 16 Kano hunters by local vigilantes in Uromi village, Edo State, relatives of the victims are still crying out for support, having waited endlessly for compensation from the Edo State Government.

The 29 Kano-bound hunters, who were travelling from Rivers State to Kano for the Eid holiday in March 2025, were intercepted by local vigilantes who falsely accused them of being kidnappers.

Despite several appeals by the hunters, which fell on deaf ears, a mob was unleashed on them. Sixteen were burnt to death, while 13 narrowly escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

Regretting the gruesome killing, Governor Monday Okpebholo led top officials of his government to Kano on a condolence visit and pledged that adequate compensation would be provided to ease the pain of the victims’ families.

Okpebholo was received by his Kano State counterpart, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and both leaders visited Torankawa village, a Fulani settlement in Bunkure Local Government Area, under heavy security. During the visit, they commiserated with the families and called for calm following the tragic incident.

The Edo State governor also used the opportunity to promise compensation for the victims’ families and assured measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence.

Recounting their ordeal on Friday in Bunkure, one of the survivors and leader of the hunters, Ibrahim Isa, lamented what he described as total neglect of the victims’ families, who have lost their breadwinners.

Isa expressed regret that one year after the visit by both governors, neither government has fully fulfilled its compensation promises.

He said life has become unbearable for him and the widows of the deceased. Isa spoke shortly after receiving ₦200,000 and food items donated by the Kano State Government.

While appreciating the support, he urged the Edo State Government to fulfil its pledge and alleviate the suffering of the families.

Similarly, a 20-year-old widow, Khadija Abdullahi Hamisu, lamented her struggles since losing her husband in 2025.

The young woman, who also lost her five-month pregnancy during the incident, revealed that apart from individual support, both state governments have yet to fulfil their promises since the killing of her husband.

Leading government officials to Bunkure on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, said he was in the village to deliver ₦7.4 million in cash and food items approved by the state government.

Although the commissioner expressed regret over the delay in fulfilling the pledges made over the past 12 months, he assured that Governor Yusuf remains committed to engaging his Edo State counterpart to ensure the promise is honoured.

According to Waiya, Governor Yusuf approved ₦300,000 for each of the 16 deceased hunters’ families and ₦200,000 for each of the 13 survivors, in addition to food items.

“Last year, when the governor visited to sympathise with the families affected by the Uromi killings, certain pledges were made. His Excellency showed deep concern for the victims and their families.

“He visited alongside the Governor of Edo State and promised to provide food items and financial support. The Edo State governor also pledged to ensure compensation for the families of the victims.

“Since then, His Excellency had assumed that the pledge had been fulfilled. However, it was only last week that I discovered it had not been redeemed. I immediately informed him, and with great concern, he directed that urgent intervention be made through this financial support,” Waiya said. (Guardian)

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