16 Murdered Uromi Hunters Families Still Wallows In Destitution One Year After
From Muhammad Kabir, Kano
The 16 Kano Hunter’s Families whose their love ones were Murdered by a mob action in Uromi, Edo State, still left in the cold wallowing in Destitution without the authorities fulfilling the promises of lives Compensation.
The killings, which occurred in March 2025 as the hunters travelled home from Rivers State for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, drew national attention and prompted a series of assurances from both Kano and Edo state governments.
Among the assurances were promises that those responsible for the attack would be prosecuted and that affected families and survivors would be compensated.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who visited Kano after the incident, assured bereaved families that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.
Authorities subsequently announced the arrest of 14 suspects linked to the killings and their transfer to Abuja for further investigation.
The Kano State Government also constituted a delegation led by the former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo to visit Edo State and engage relevant stakeholders over the incident, while discussions on compensation and other forms of support were initiated.
However, findings showed that while affected families recently received food items and cash support from the Kano State Government, many said the compensation promised after the killings are yet to be paid.
Several relatives of the victims and survivors also said they had received little information regarding the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the attack.
For Ibrahim Isah, one of the survivors and leader of the hunting group, the pain of that day remains difficult to forget.
“What I have seen with my naked eyes happened to my people and relatives still hunts my mind,” he said.
Recounting the events that led to the killings, Isah said members of the group had carried identification cards and approval documents authorising their hunting activities and had informed security personnel in the area before they were stopped by vigilantes.
According to him, their explanations were ignored. “They saw our hunting guns and other equipment and started accusing us of being bandits. Before you know it, people were coming from everywhere and attacking us.”
He recalled that the situation escalated after one of the vigilantes fired a gunshot into the air.
“The vigilante fired into the air and people started gathering from everywhere. They attacked us with cutlasses and other weapons. After they killed some of our people, we started running.”
Isah said he sustained multiple injuries while attempting to escape and eventually found refuge in a motor garage before security personnel intervened several hours later.
Despite surviving the attack, he said many questions remain unanswered more than a year later.
“They promised they would call us and keep us informed. Up till now nobody has called us. There is no compensation and we do not know what is happening regarding the court case.”
Beyond the survivors, the uncertainty surrounding the promises made after the tragedy continues to weigh heavily on families who lost loved ones.
For Khadija Abdullahi, whose husband was among those killed, the tragedy altered the course of her life.
Married for only four months before her husband’s death, she said the trauma and persistent anxiety that followed contributed to the loss of her pregnancy.
She recalled that government officials who visited the community after the killings promised support and compensation.
“One year after, no compensation earlier promised has been fulfilled. During Ramadan, we received two bags of rice and N300,000, but the compensation promised after the killings has not been paid,” she said.
According to her, life has become increasingly difficult since the death of her husband, who played a key role in supporting the family.
The same sense of loss was evident in the home of Aisha Abdullahi, mother of one of the deceased hunters.
A mother of nine, Aisha described her late son as the family’s breadwinner and a dependable source of support.
She recalled that the trip turned out to be his first hunting expedition outside Kano State.
Before leaving, he had spoken of plans to return with money to support his father, who had been unable to farm for years because of a back injury, and assist with preparations for his sisters’ marriages.
“He was the one taking care of the family. We lost not only a son but our support system,” she said.
Although politicians and sympathisers later provided some assistance, Aisha said the compensation promised by government authorities remained outstanding.
“The promises made should be fulfilled. We are facing serious difficulties,” she added.
Similar frustrations were expressed by Harisu Isa Torankawa, whose son was killed only 47 days after his marriage.
He recalled that government officials had assured families that compensation would be facilitated within a few months of the tragedy.
“The support we recently received is appreciated, but the promises made have not been fulfilled. We have continued making enquiries, but the issue appears to be fading away,” he said.
According to him, families have repeatedly sought updates regarding both compensation and the status of investigations into the killings.
For Halimatus Sadiya, popularly known as Sabuwa, the attack claimed several members of her extended family.
She lost her son, her sister’s son and another close relative during the violence.
“Our hearts could not bear the loss. At first, we were told the boys had escaped into the bush. Later, we learnt they had been beaten and burnt to death,” she said.
Sadiya said the burden left behind by the tragedy extended beyond grief, as she was left with the responsibility of caring for orphaned children and other dependants.
“We were promised support and compensation, but we are still waiting. Life has not been easy for us,” she said.
Among those still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy is Harisu Isa Torankawa, whose son was killed just some weeks after his marriage.
He recalled that the last time he spoke with his son was when the young man called to inform him that he was on his way home and requested prayers for a safe journey.
“The incident was traumatising. Since then, no support has come from the government apart from the recent food items and N300,000 given to affected families,” he said.
Harisu said government officials who visited the community after the killings assured families that compensation would be facilitated within a few months.
“We have continued making enquiries and efforts, but nothing has happened. It feels like the matter is gradually being forgotten. We have suffered a double loss — losing our loved ones and still waiting for the promises made to us to be fulfilled,” he said.
Community leaders also expressed concern over what they described as the slow pace of progress on the matter.
The village head of Tarankawa community, Alhaji Ado Torankawa, said affected families had spent the past year seeking updates from relevant authorities.
He confirmed that families recently received food items and financial support but said the larger promises remained unfulfilled.
“We have contacted our district head, local government chairman, senators and everyone that should be contacted. These families deserve justice and support,” he said.
According to him, different explanations had been offered over time regarding the delay.
“At one point, we were told attention was focused on political activities. Later, we were informed that some officials handling the matter had travelled for Hajj and that discussions would continue after their return.”
Responding to the concerns, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the state government had fulfilled the commitments it made to victims’ families and survivors.
According to him, affected families received N300,000 each, while survivors received N200,000, in addition to two bags of rice per household.
“We visited the community and provided the support we promised,” he said.
Waiya added that the Kano State Government was continuing engagements with the Edo State Government to ensure that compensation promised after the killings was paid.
He maintained that efforts to secure justice and compensation for affected families were ongoing.
For many of the victims’ relatives, however, the passage of time has only deepened their frustration.
More than a year after government officials promised compensation, justice and accountability, many families say they are still waiting for those assurances to be translated into reality.
However, the Edo State Government, could not be reached for their comments on the matter
