By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
In the wake of the recent Uromi killings that left seven Kano indigenes dead, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State has been transferred, while the Kano State Government has affirmed the safety of northerners residing in the state.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who led a powerful delegation to Edo on a fact-finding and reconciliation mission, gave this assurance in Kano after returning from the visit. He said the move was necessary to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the killings and to reaffirm the state’s commitment to the safety of its citizens across Nigeria.
The delegation was a direct response to the condolence visit of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to the Torankawa community in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano, where the victims hailed from. During the visit, the Kano team met with political and traditional leaders, including the Onojie of Uromi, and inspected the scene of the attack.
“It was an emotional and reassuring visit. The people of Uromi and their leaders received us warmly. Governor Obaseki himself accompanied us to the location of the incident, which was nearly two hours from Benin. The turnout of northerners was overwhelming—they came out to show their solidarity and express their support,” Gwarzo said.
He confirmed that the Edo State Government has already disbanded the local vigilante group accused of carrying out the attack and that 14 suspects are in police custody, with others still being tracked by security operatives.
“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State has been redeployed in connection with the incident. This clearly shows that the state government is not treating this matter lightly,” Gwarzo added.
He revealed that Kano State had compiled a detailed report of the incident, documenting the names of the victims, survivors, and properties destroyed. The report has been presented to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, who assured that compensation would be provided for the victims’ families and those affected.
“Our demand is justice. Nothing more. We have received assurances that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law and that there is no targeted hostility against northerners in Edo. From what we saw and heard, I can confidently tell you that our people are safe in the state,” he said.
Gwarzo disclosed that 26 individuals survived the attack and are currently being supported. Most of the survivors, he said, are from five local government areas in Kano. He lauded the resilience of the affected families and communities and urged citizens not to allow the tragedy to sow division.
He emphasized the constitutional right of all Nigerians to live and work in any part of the country, noting that peaceful coexistence is key to national unity.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No one should be made to feel unsafe in any corner of this country. The constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and earn a livelihood wherever they choose,” the deputy governor stated.
The Kano delegation included the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umar, four state commissioners, the Chairman of Bunkure Local Government, and a representative of the Edo community in Kano, who hails from Uromi.