Uromi killings: Stalemate in compensation talks for lynched hunters as Kano, Edo differ

Over two months after the Kano State Government inaugurated a special committee to engage with its Edo State counterpart on compensation for 16 hunters killed in Uromi, discussions appear to have stalled, with no resolution or public statement forthcoming from either state.

The committee, headed by Kano’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, was charged with initiating negotiations with the Edo State Government to determine appropriate financial redress for the bereaved families.

But findings suggest that the talks have run into difficulties, primarily due to conflicting positions on the amount to be paid in compensation.

A source close to the negotiations, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the ongoing silence from the committee was a result of the unresolved disagreement.

“The reason the committee has not come out to say anything about compensation is because there is a disagreement between the two parties on what should be paid,” the source said.

Attempts to obtain an official response from Kano were unsuccessful. Ibrahim Waiya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs—and a member of the committee—refused to comment.

“Why are you people interested in this issue of hunters? Please allow me to speak to our chairman,” he said, ending the conversation abruptly.

Subsequent attempts to reach him via calls and messages yielded no response.

Meanwhile, an official in Edo State, who also asked not to be named, disclosed that a proposal had been submitted by the Kano delegation to Governor Monday Okpebholo for consideration.

“I can only tell you again that the proposal from the Kano State government has been submitted to the governor.He is the only one that can say what the state government wants to do,” the official said.

The tragic incident took place on March 27, 2025, when 16 hunters travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for Eid celebrations were killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State. They were reportedly attacked after being mistaken for criminals. The victims had been carrying Dane guns and riding in a truck filled with palm kernel shells when they were intercepted by local vigilante groups.

The lynching sparked national outrage, prompting Governor Okpebholo to suspend local vigilantes in the area, order an investigation into the incident, and extend condolences to the victims’ families in Kano.

(PUNCH)