Man Who Threatened Southerners Over Uromi Killings Arrested; Was Dismissed as Constabulary Two Years Ago – Police Reveals

The Nigeria Police Force announced the arrest of Hadaina Dan-Taki, who had threatened violence against southerners in the North in response to the killing of 16 traveling hunters in Uromi, Edo State.

Following widespread public backlash over Dan-Taki’s inflammatory Facebook post, the Kaduna State Police Command, in a statement released Friday and signed by spokesperson Mansir Hassan, distanced itself from him, clarifying that Dan-Taki had previously been dismissed from the police special constabulary due to concerns about his character.

It stated, “To set the record straight, Hadian Hussaini is neither a member of the Nigeria Police Force nor an operative of the Kaduna State Police Command. It is pertinent to note that his picture captured in police uniform as displayed on social media, which is an improper dressing, is that of him when he was a member of the police special constabulary attached to Kaduna State Constabulary Office, but was dismissed from the voluntary outfit two (2) years ago due to his questionable character. The pictures of him in uniform were posted on the Facebook platform two (2) years ago, prior to his dismissal.”

The police confirmed that Mr. Dan-Taki “has been arrested and will be charged in court following the conclusion of preliminary investigations, in line with applicable laws.”

On Wednesday, Peoples Gazette reported that Mr. Dan-Taki, in a Facebook post, threatened to lead a mob attack against southerners residing in northern Nigeria within the next two weeks.

A screenshot of his inflammatory post—where he threatened violence against southerners—quickly went viral. His statement came in the wake of the tragic killing of 16 hunters who were traveling through Uromi, Edo State, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They were reportedly mistaken for armed attackers by a mob and lynched.

In response to the incident, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt to apprehend those responsible for the killings. Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo traveled to Kano State to console the families of the victims and announced that 14 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.