By Mike Osahon
Tension has gripped Udune Efandion village of Uromi town in the Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State after mob reportedly murdered 16 travellers said to be heading to Kano for Sallah celebrations.
The victims were said to be local hunters were travelling from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Kano State when local vigilante apprehended them and reportedly murdered them.
The deceased travellers were alleged to have been armed with Dane guns when members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes arrested them on Thursday around Udune Efandion community over suspicion of being kidnappers.
The discovery of the guns was said to have sparked anger among members of the vigilante group and locals who took them to be kidnappers terrorising people of the areas for months.
Uromi and other parts of Edo Central senatorial district of the state have been under severe attacks by kidnappers in recent months.
The incident, which resulted in a heated argument between the vigilante and the travellers led to confrontation and mob action against the deceased, with 16 of them being killed in the process.
Police sources who confirmed the incident said before security operatives could arrive at the scene of the incident, 16 persons had already been killed.
The vehicle conveying the travellers was also said to have been set ablaze by the mob while a few others sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, four of the survivors were rushed to a medical facility in the area for treatment, while suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
