One year after the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Uromi, Edo State, families of the victims say they are still waiting for the compensation promised by the Edo State Government.
The incident occurred in March 2025 when 29 hunters travelling from Rivers State to Kano for the Eid holiday were intercepted by local vigilantes in Uromi village and wrongly accused of being kidnappers.
Despite their pleas, a mob attack followed, resulting in the deaths of 16 hunters, who were burnt, while 13 others escaped with injuries.
Following the incident, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo visited Kano alongside top government officials to commiserate with the victims’ families and pledged compensation to ease their suffering.
He was received by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and both leaders visited Torankawa village in Bunkure Local Government Area, where they urged calm and assured that steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence.
However, speaking in Bunkure on Friday, a survivor and leader of the hunters, Ibrahim Isa, expressed concern over what he described as continued neglect, noting that many affected families have lost their primary sources of livelihood.
He lamented that, despite the assurances given during the visit, the promised compensation has yet to be fully delivered by either government.
Isa spoke after receiving N200,000 and food items from the Kano State Government, appreciating the support but calling on the Edo State Government to fulfil its commitment.
Similarly, a 20-year-old widow, Khadija Abdullahi Hamisu, recounted her struggles since the incident, stating that she has faced hardship since losing her husband.
She added that aside from individual assistance, the broader promises made by both state governments remain largely unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, led a delegation to Bunkure to distribute N7.4 million and food items approved by the state government.
He acknowledged the delay in fulfilling earlier pledges but reassured that Governor Yusuf remains committed to ensuring support for the victims’ families and engaging with the Edo State Government to address outstanding promises.
According to him, the Kano State Government approved N300,000 for each of the 16 deceased hunters’ families and N200,000 for each of the 13 survivors, in addition to food items.
“Last year, when the governor visited to sympathise with the families affected by the Uromi killings, certain pledges were made. His Excellency showed deep concern for the victims and their families.
“He visited alongside the Governor of Edo State and promised to provide food items and financial support. The Edo State governor also pledged to ensure compensation for the families of the victims.
“Since then, His Excellency had assumed that the pledge had been fulfilled. However, it was only last week that I discovered it had not been redeemed. I immediately informed him, and with great concern, he directed that urgent intervention be made through this financial support,” Waiya said.
