The families of the 16 northern travellers who were lynched in the early hours of Friday in Uromi, Edo State, have called for justice over the brutal killing of their loved ones.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the bereaved families recounted the tragic final moments of the victims, who were reportedly intercepted and murdered by local vigilantes on allegations of being kidnappers.
The victims, who were identified as hunters, were traveling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Kano State for the Sallah festivities when they were attacked.
Grief in Torankawa Village
A visit to Torankawa village in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, where some of the victims hailed from, revealed a community plunged into mourning. Other victims were from Garko, Kibiya, and Rano villages.
Torankawa village is known for its deep-rooted tradition of hunting, which is regarded as a test of masculinity and courage. Among the slain were six hunters and a sole survivor from the village. The deceased included Abdulkadir Umar, survived by two wives and his mother; Zaharaddeen Tanko, who left behind a wife and four children; and Haruna Hamidan, who was also a husband and father of four.
Others were Usaini Musa, who had two wives and two children; Abdullahi Harisu, recently married four months ago; Ya’u Umaru, and Abubakar Ado, both young bachelors.
The only survivor from the village, Ibrahim Isa, a father of six and leader of the hunters, is currently hospitalized in Edo State.
Survivor’s Harrowing Account
Muhammadu Sunusi Torankawa, younger brother to the survivor, narrated their last phone conversation during the attack.
“He called me in distress, saying they were in grave danger and asked us to pray for them. He told me he had been struck with a machete near his neck but survived due to his protective charms. He hid and watched as his men were dragged one by one and set on fire. He thought he would bleed to death,” he said.
Sunusi added that his brother was rescued by security operatives and taken to a hospital, where he is currently fighting for his life.
A Family’s Loss and Call for Justice
A grieving mother, Sadiya Sa’adu, revealed that she lost not only her son, Haruna Hamidan, but also her brother and nephew in the attack.
“They were not criminals; they were simply out to make an honest living. My son’s blood must not be spilled in vain,” she lamented.
Hamidan’s widow, Zahura, recounted her husband’s last phone call just two hours before the attack.
“He told me they were on their way home. He was building a house for us, determined to finish it, but fate had other plans,” she said tearfully.
Mother Remembers Son’s Final Words
Aisha Harisu, mother of 21-year-old Abdullahi Harisu, recalled his last words to her before the attack.
“He told me, ‘Umma, please pray for us.’ That was the last thing he said to me. We depended on him for everything,” she said.
His father, Isah, also spoke of his son’s dedication to their family’s hunting tradition.
“He told me he was going on the annual hunting expedition, and I gave him my blessing. He left with our prayers, but he never returned,” he said.
The families have called on the authorities to ensure justice is served, emphasizing that their loved ones were innocent victims. Security agencies have since launched an investigation into the incident, with calls for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
