The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of four persons for their alleged involvement in the killing of about seven persons suspected to be kidnappers in the Uromi area of the state.
It was gathered that the seven suspected kidnappers were allegedly set ablaze by some persons in Uromi.
Okpebholo, who spoke through the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the Government House, Solomon Osaghale, described the action as barbaric and condemnable.
He vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law.
While describing the incident as a barbaric and strange, he noted that such would not be tolerated in the State.
He said, “I was in Uromi at the instance of the Governor to ascertain the level of damage done and to ensure that prompt investigation is carried out to ensure justice and forestall a reoccurrence.
“The investigations have shown that the people who were killed had boarded a commercial truck and were stopped by members of local security who upon search of the vehicle, discovered some guns, a situation that led to the mob attack by persons around the vicinity.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo on getting the news of this incident, directed me to immediately come here and find out what transpired as the news of what happened here is a sign of worry to our Governor whose desire is to create a prosperous State void of dastardly acts like this.
“I can assure you that the people involved in this unprovoked attack will not go scot-free, as His Excellency has directed the Commissioner of Police to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter.
“As I speak now, over four persons have been arrested for their involvement in this ugly incident.”
Okpebholo who condemned the act, stressed that nobody has the right to take another man’s life.
He said that the nature of the barbaric killing was a cause of concern to the state government.
The governor, who called for calm, assured the law-abiding residents of Uromi, especially the Hausa community, to go about their daily activities, as men of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies have been deployed to restore peace and normalcy to the place.
Responding, the leader of the Hausa community in Uromi, Mallam Aliyu Haruna, thanked the governor for deploying the CSO and other security personnel to the area.
Haruna acknowledged that the presence of the security personnel has brought calm and reassurance to the Hausa community in the area, as there was palpable fear and unease in their camp following the unfortunate incident, which he noted has never happened before in the local government.
“We want to sincerely thank the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his swift response to the occurrence of this ugly incident.
“I must tell you that this is the first time a thing like this has happened in Uromi, and it baffles me because the Uromi people have been so accommodating to us in the Hausa community.
“Over the years, we have lived peacefully among the indigenes. Our sojourn in this land has spanned over seventy years. I was given birth here, and so are many other people you are seeing here today,” he said.
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