By Ebere Inyama
(Edo) For years, Christian communities in Nigeria have suffered deadly attacks, often with little government intervention. Entire villages have been burned, churches destroyed, and worshippers massacred. The violence has fueled religious and ethnic tensions, deepening
mistrust across regions. Now, a mob killing in Edo State has sparked fresh outrage and Christian believers worry about irrational reprisals.
See video of the survivor: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18VwNiKhZo
On March 27, 2025, a group of Muslim game hunters traveling from Rivers State to Kano were attacked in Uromi, Edo State. Local neighborhood – often dubbed in Nigeria as “vigilantes” stopped the truck they were riding in and discovered weapons, including locally-made guns, axes, and machetes. Believing the men were kidnappers, the watchmen detained the truck driver and another passenger, taking them to a police station. Before they could return, an angry mob set upon the remaining men, killing 16 and setting their corpses on fire.
One of the survivors, Mustapha Alqasim, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the attack.
“We were returning to Kano state to celebrate Salah,” Alqasim said, “but when we got to Uromi in Edo state, we were stopped by the local vigilantes. They asked us to come down, but when we refused, they tried to force us to come down and we started an argument, but soon, we alighted from the truck. They searched the truck and found our guns and matches. We tried to explain to them that we were game hunters, but they refused to let us go. They took the driver and one other
person to the police station and told us to stay there until they got back. A crowd gathered and sensing that we could be in danger, I ran away before they could catch me.
Another survivor, identified as “Haruna,” claimed the group had legal permits for their weapons.
“They handcuffed me and the driver and took us to the police station. I tried to explain to them that those guns had licenses, but they wouldn’t listen. When we got to the police station, they told the police that we were kidnappers, so the police detained us,” Haruna said.
The commander of the Edo State Security Corps, retired Commissioner of Police Friday Ibadin,
confirmed that local neighborhood watchmen intercepted the travelers, leading to the violent mob attack.
Security forces have since arrested 14 suspects, with additional arrests made by the Department of State Security in Uromi county. Authorities are still searching for others involved in the killings.
Meanwhile, the killings have ignited tensions across Nigeria. Northern leaders are demanding justice, while Edo State officials have pledged a full investigation. Some extremists, however, have called for violent reprisals, urging attacks on churches in northern Nigeria on April 7, 2025.
In a viral post made via Facebook on Monday 31 March, 2025, a man identified as Rabi’u Ibraheem Rapson has called on Muslims to attack Christians on April 7.
“We invite every Muslim. On April 7, there will be war in every church located in Northern Nigeria,” Rabiu wrote in Hausa.
Rabiu did not provide reasons for making such a post, but other posts observed by TruthNigeria suggest that he was reacting to the killing of 16 Northerners in Edo State, as he had made several posts about the incident.
Security agencies have heightened surveillance to prevent further violence.
Ebere Inyama is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
