The Kano State Government has exclusively told The PUNCH that it will soon enter talks with its Edo counterpart to determine the financial compensation for families of the 16 travellers who were killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State last month.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, though did not disclose what each victim’s family would receive and the date of the meeting, he hinted that the Kano delegation would be led Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.

Waiya told The PUNCH on Sunday, “For now, there is no specific amount determined to compensate the families of the 16 slain hunters released by the Edo State government.

“The compensation figure will be determined during an upcoming meeting with the committee established by the Kano State Government, led by the Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and Edo State government officials.”

Waiya also claimed that most of those threatening retaliation were not actual relatives of the deceased.

“We have observed that many of those calling for retaliation are not direct relatives of the victims. Journalists should be wary of the kind of hunters they speak with.

“Both the Kano and Edo State Governments have jointly visited the affected communities here in Kano. During the visit, we met with the bereaved families, extended our condolences, and assured them that justice will be pursued.

“The families welcomed the government’s efforts and expressed their appreciation. They also promised to cooperate fully in maintaining peace and supporting the ongoing investigations,” Waiya said.

To douse the tension and promote reconciliation, the Kano State Government has constituted a delegation led by the deputy governor.

The team includes representatives from human rights organisations, the commissioner for information, and members from the victims’ communities.

According to the government, the delegation will soon be inaugurated and is expected to visit Edo State to engage with Hausa community leaders and Edo State officials on preventing future occurrences.

The commissioner also disclosed that the Edo State Government had agreed to compensate the victims’ families, a gesture seen as a step toward healing and justice.

He disclosed that the Department of State Services recently arrested two additional prime suspects linked to the killings, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 16.

In a broader effort to ensure lasting peace, the Kano Government is collaborating with human rights groups to address the root causes of the violence.

Among the measures being discussed are the dismantling of unregulated vigilante groups in Edo and enhanced engagement with local communities to foster peaceful coexistence.

Edo combs forests

The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, said one of the major aims of Governor Monday Okpehbolo was to protect communities, villages and other inhabited areas in the state.

He said, “When the governor took over in November, one of the first things he did was to restructure the Edo Security Network to Edo State Security Corps. It is a complementary body that is allowed to bear arms.

“Their major thrust is to protect communities, villages and other areas. There are members of that corps in every community in the state who are registered and have been profiled by the government.

“Their activities are not just restricted to villages, but they are also mandated to comb the forest where these kidnappers operate from. There has been success recorded by this corps in the area of going to the forest and engaging these kidnappers and rescuing victims, some reported and some not reported.

“The ESSC personnel are also in the cities, but their activities are not limited to the cities, but also those inhabited places in the state. Besides restructuring the security outfit, the governor also made operational vehicles available, bought the equipment and trained the personnel. We may not see results as we expect, but as time goes on, some of their men will do more, record successes and the problem of kidnapping, which we inherited, will be solved.”

He added that the ESSC works with other agencies to comb the forest.

“The government has given a mandate to them to extend their job to the forest, and they also complement the security agencies. As I talk to you, they are already combing the forests with personnel from other security agencies.

“Moreover, there is certain information that cannot be divulged due to its sensitivity. But one thing is clear: something is being done, and no cause for alarm. What we are experiencing now is like the last kick of a dying horse. The kidnappers are being pushed back and will be sent out of the state.

“The activities of the ESSC have not been suspended. It is the illegal vigilante groups that were suspended by the governor. The second in command of ESSC has taken over from Friday Ibadin, who was suspended by the state government.”

Residents express fears

Meanwhile, southerners living in Kano told The PUNCH that they had been living in fear due to recent threats from some indigenous people.

A resident of Sabon Gari, Favour Ejiofor, who hails from the south east, expressed concerns over growing tension following alleged threats of revenge by families of the 16 travellers.

Ejiofor, who hails from Anambra State, said the past week had been tense for many residents in the area.

“To be honest, yes, we felt unsafe throughout the past week, maybe because of the rumour about possible retaliation,” she stated.



https://punchng.com/lynched-travellers-kano-edo-govts-to-hold-victims-compensation-talks/