The inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an investigation into the killing of 16 hunters in Edo state.

On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo attacked and killed at least 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that Egbetokun has directed Sadiq Abubakar, the deputy IGP in charge of the force criminal investigation department (FCID), to ensure a thorough probe of the matter.

“The inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has strongly condemned the violent mob action carried out against a group of travellers by a local vigilante group along the Uromi-Obajana road in Edo State,” the statement reads.

Adejobi said the hunters were killed after a local vigilante group, who mistook them for kidnappers, found 19 locally fabricated firearms in their possession.

“The group of individuals, who were travelling in a truck and claimed to be hunters, were found in possession of nineteen (19) locally fabricated firearms when intercepted by the vigilantes, who were not satisfied with the excuse of being hunters to be in possession of such number of arms, concluded they were kidnappers,” he said.

“The IGP has directed the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the force criminal investigation department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Abubakar, mni, to take over the case and ensure a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation.

“He assured the public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of unlawful killings or extrajudicial actions under any guise.”

On Friday, the Edo police command said its operatives had arrested 14 suspects in connection with the killing.