“Can’t allow this evil” – Former Leicester City star condemns brutal killing of 16 in Nigeria

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has expressed his deep sorrow and outrage following the brutal mob killing of 16 hunters in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Footynaija.com reports.

The victims, reportedly traditional hunters from northern Nigeria, were travelling in a truck from Rivers State to Kano for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

However, they were intercepted by a local vigilante group at Udune Efandion, where a search of their vehicle uncovered locally made Dane guns—standard tools for their trade.

According to police reports, suspicions quickly escalated, with the vigilantes suspecting them of being kidnappers. A crowd soon gathered, and in a shocking turn of events, the situation spiraled out of control. Viral footage from the scene captured the horrific moment when the 16 men were tied to tyres, doused in petrol, and set ablaze while onlookers recorded the gruesome act. Their truck was also torched.

The attack has sparked widespread condemnation, including from President Bola Tinubu, who described it as an act of jungle justice and called for swift investigations to bring those responsible to justice.

Musa, who won the AFCON in 2013 and captained the Super Eagles to the tournament’s final last year, took to Twitter to express his heartbreak over the killings.

“My heart is heavy. How did we get here? How did we lose our sense of humanity? Innocent travelers, simply on their way to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, were hijacked and unalived in Edo State,” the former Leicester City winger lamented.

“This isn’t about tribe, religion, or background—this is about human lives! When did we become so desensitized to pain? Where is our compassion? Where is our sympathy? We cannot allow this kind of evil to become our new normal. Every life matters. ️

“May their souls rest in peace. May their families find strength. And may we, as a people, remember that humanity comes first.”

My heart is heavy. How did we get here? How did we lose our sense of humanity? Innocent travelers, simply on their way to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, were hijacked and unalived in Edo State.

This isn’t about tribe, religion, or background—this is about human lives! When did…

— Ahmed Musa (MON) (OON) ️️ (@Ahmedmusa718) March 29, 2025

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects linked to the attack, as per Business Day. The force’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, detailed how the incident unfolded.

“On March 27, 2025, a truck with registration number KKF 225 XA, carrying 25 travellers from Elele, Rivers State, was stopped by a local vigilante group in Uromi. Upon discovering Dane guns among their belongings, an alarm was raised, accusing them of being kidnappers. This incitement led to a violent mob attack in which 16 of the travellers were lynched, and their vehicle was set ablaze.”

The police assured the public that investigations are ongoing and vowed to bring all those involved in the extrajudicial killings to justice.

President Tinubu has also condemned the attack, instructing security agencies to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.