Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo has condemned the killing of some persons in the Uromi area of the state, ordering a full-scale investigation into the incident.

The victims, said to be travellers, were allegedly killed by vigilante members on Thursday in the headquarters of the Esan North East Local Government Area of the state on suspicion of being criminals.

But Okpebholo, who visited the community a day after the incident, described it as “barbaric”.

“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book. He also charged the community to work with the security agencies to fish out the culprits,” the governor’s spokesman Fred Itua said in a statement on Friday after his principal’s visit to Uromi.

“Governor Okpebholo also commended community leaders, especially the leadership of Arewa community in the area, for deescalating tensions and handling the situation with restrain.”

The governor promised justice for the victims.

“The Governor said there is no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso have condemned the incident.

Atiku said he was “saddened” by the incident and sent “heartfelt condolences” to the families and loved ones of the victims.

“This unfortunate incident demands a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to uncover and ensure that those responsible are brought to book,” the former vice president wrote on his X account. “The protection of innocent lives must remain paramount, and I urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to prevent a recurrence of jungle justice. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done to restore public confidence in our security institutions.”

For Kwankwaso, the killing is “harrowing” and “another sad reminder of the barbarity of jungle justice”.

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) called on authorities to “launch a full-scale investigation into this sad incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice”.

“While praying for the repose of the victims, I extend my condolences to their families, the Kano State Government, and other affected states,” the NNPP chieftain wrote on his X handle on Friday evening.