Kano State Government To Negotiate Compensation For Families Of 16 Deceased Travelers

Kano State Government To Negotiate Compensation For Families Of 16 Deceased Travelers

The Kano State Government has announced its intention to engage in discussions with Edo State to determine financial compensation for the families of the 16 travelers who were tragically killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, last month.

Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, confirmed this development in an interview with Punch, but he did not disclose the compensation amount or the specific date of the upcoming meeting….READ MORE….

Waiya noted that the delegation from Kano will be led by Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo. He stated, “At this time, a specific compensation figure has not been established for the families of the 16 deceased hunters released by the Edo State government. The exact amount will be determined in a forthcoming meeting between a committee from the Kano State Government, chaired by Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and officials from Edo State.”

Additionally, Waiya addressed rising calls for retaliation, emphasizing that many voices advocating for vengeance are not directly related to the victims. He urged journalists to exercise caution when interviewing individuals who may not have a direct connection to the incident.

The Kano and Edo State governments have already visited the affected communities in Kano, where they extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of ongoing efforts to seek justice. Waiya reported that the families expressed gratitude for these efforts and committed to cooperating with authorities to maintain peace and support the investigation.

“To mitigate tension and foster reconciliation, the Kano State Government has formed a delegation led by the deputy governor. This team, which includes representatives from human rights organizations, the commissioner for information, and members from the victims’ communities, will soon be inaugurated and is expected to visit Edo State to engage with Hausa community leaders and Edo State officials about preventing future incidents,” Waiya elaborated.

He further indicated that the Edo State Government has agreed to provide compensation for the victims’ families, which he characterized as a constructive step toward healing and justice. This compensation will be part of broader efforts to address the violence and ensure accountability for the families affected by the killings.

In terms of further developments, the Department of State Services (DSS) has recently apprehended two more suspects linked to the incident, increasing the total number of suspects in custody to 16.

The Kano State Government is also partnering with human rights organizations to address the root causes of the violence and prevent future occurrences.

Waiya mentioned that discussions are ongoing about dismantling unregulated vigilante groups in Edo and increasing community engagement to promote peaceful coexistence.

Meanwhile, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, provided an update on the state’s security measures, underscoring Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to safeguarding communities. He noted that the governor has restructured the Edo Security Network into the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), which is equipped and authorized to bear arms for community protection.

“The primary mission of the ESSC is to safeguard communities, villages, and populated areas. Members of the corps are present in every community across the state, having been profiled by the government. They are also tasked with patrolling the forests where kidnappers operate,” Itua explained.

He added, “The ESSC collaborates with other security agencies to patrol the forests and confront kidnappers. We are optimistic about improving the situation and pushing back against criminal elements. While illegal vigilante groups have been suspended, the ESSC remains active.”