The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has promised to pay compensation to the families of 16 travelers massacred in Uromi, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Governor Okpebholo was in Kano to condole with the family members and the people of the state over the unfortunate incident.
Speaking during a courtesy call to Governor Yusuf, the Edo State Governor described Kano as his second home, condemned the Uromi killings and insisted that justice must be done.
He briefed Governor Yusuf on the efforts by his government and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book.
According to him, 14 people had already been arrested and efforts were on top gear to ensure they were paraded and prosecuted..
He also hinted that President Tinubu had been concerned over the incident as he had directed the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the case be transferred to Abuja for discreet investigation.
After the meeting at Government House which was attended by ethnic traditional rulers resident in Kano, the two governors visited the Torankawa village, Bunkure local government, where the victims hailed from which is about 100 kilometers away from the city.
In his response, the Kano Governor who commended Governor Okpebholo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking drastic steps to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the killings, ruled out possibility of reprisal attacks in Kano, hinting that already the state government in collaboration with security agencies had done enough homework to avert it.
“We want to see the perpetrators physically paraded so that Nigerians will see and believe that they have been apprehended; so that the families of the bereaved and the world will see the people that committed that heinous crime.
“I know you (Governor Okpebholo) to be a man of your word and a man of integrity. We believe in your promise to ensure that justice is done. I have every believe that you will ensure that the families of the bereaved will be compensated,” Governor Yusuf stated.
He further recalled that, “it is a known fact that our people were travelling from Port Harcourt en route Edo state. They were maimed, some of them burnt to ashes. Many of them are from Kano. Many of them are from two Local Governments within Kano metropolis.
“I commend His Excellency (Governor Okpebholo) for taking a prompt action when the incident happened. His Excellency visited the Hausa community in Edo state, made so many promises. As I speak to you His Excellency has fulfilled those promises. Many of them have been apprehended and taken to Abuja.
“He assured us that the families of the bereaved will be compensated. Kano people are peaceful. We are known to be the most hospitable people in Nigeria. We accommodate people from other ethnic nationalities”.
THISDAY
