The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the mob action against a group of travelers by a local vigilante group along the Uromi-Obajana Road in Edo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Adejobi said the travelers, who were intercepted while transporting 19 locally fabricated firearms, claimed to be hunters. However, the vigilantes, suspecting them to be kidnappers, subjected some of them to mob justice.
He described the attack as unlawful, stressing that due process should have been followed to verify their claims.
“In immediate response, the Edo State Police Command deployed operatives to the area to restore law and order.
“So far, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a manhunt has been launched for others involved,” he said.
The IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Abubakar, to take over the case for a thorough and impartial investigation.
Egbetokun assured that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions and called on the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigators.
He also reiterated that the unlawful possession of firearms is a criminal offense and urged individuals with unlicensed weapons to surrender them or follow the proper licensing procedures.
The police warned against jungle justice, advising citizens to report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than taking the law into their hands.
