At least 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria were brutally killed in Udune Efandion, a community in Uromi, Edo State, after being wrongly accused of kidnapping.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday when the victims, mostly Hausa hunters, were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebrations.
Reports indicate that around 1:30 p.m., members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes intercepted them.
However, a violent mob soon took matters into their own hands.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama confirmed the killings on Friday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, sparking widespread condemnation.
He explained that the victims were carrying hunting rifles—commonly used in Northern Nigeria which led to a mistaken assumption that they were criminals. Instead of notifying law enforcement, vigilantes raised an alarm, triggering chaos.
“The response was swift and brutal. Misled by false claims, enraged youths launched a deadly attack on the travellers, killing 16 of them on the spot.
“Some of the bodies were burned inside their vehicle after the mob set it ablaze. Others were dragged out, placed in wheelbarrows, and thrown into the fire,” Makama recounted.
Security forces responded to a distress call but arrived too late to prevent the massacre.
However, four survivors were rescued and taken to His Grace Hospital in Uromi for urgent medical care.
Authorities confirmed that five individuals had been arrested in connection with the killings.
Meanwhile, the Hausa community in Uromi convened an emergency peace meeting to prevent further violence.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesperson Moses Joel Yamu stated that he was still gathering details and would provide accurate information later.
