Families of the 16 hunters from Kano State who were brutally lynched by vigilantes in Edo State on March 28, 2025, say they are yet to receive any of the compensation packages promised by both the Kano and Edo State governments.
The victims were reportedly attacked and killed along the Uromi-Obajana Expressway in the Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, on suspicion of being kidnappers while returning home from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident sparked national outrage and calls for justice.
Following the killings, the Nigerian police announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the mob action.
In April, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo had met with a delegation from Kano State led by Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo and announced the formation of a federal-state joint committee to investigate the tragedy. During a condolence visit to the victims’ hometown of Torankawa, Okpebholo pledged financial compensation and support for the bereaved families.
“We are making arrangements to provide compensation to all the families affected by this incident,” Okpebholo said.
His Kano State counterpart, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, also assured victims’ families of justice and pledged financial assistance, including food and relief items.
However, over three months later, families in Torankawa and other affected communities say they have not received any form of support.
Speaking with Daily Trust, 45-year-old Ibrahim Isa, a survivor of the attack, said he still bears physical and emotional scars and has had to pay over N40,000 for his medical care despite government promises of free treatment.
“I can barely feed myself. My children are too young to help. They said they came with money and food, but we haven’t seen anything,” he said.
Zahura Haruna, a widow, said life had become unbearable since losing her husband.
“I’ve become a burden to my in-laws. My husband was our only provider. Now, we rely on neighbours just to eat,” she said.
Malam Bala Dutse of Kibiya LGA, whose son Amadu was among those killed, demanded transparency from the government: “They should at least speak to us and explain the compensation plan.”
Another widow, Hauwa’u Isa, expressed growing despair: “They said justice would be served. But each passing day makes that promise look more like a political statement than a commitment.”
The Vice Chairman of Kibiya Local Government Area, Nasiru Adam Abdulaziz, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to pursuing justice. “These families deserve answers. We trust the government will act as promised,” he said.
Efforts to get comments from the Edo State Government were unsuccessful. Calls and text messages to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, were not returned.
Kano State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Garba Waiya, who is also a member of the investigation committee, declined to comment.
The Chairman of the Hausa community in Edo State, Alhaji Badamasi Saleh, told Daily Trust that he was not aware of any compensation having been paid.
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