The Kano State Police Command has dismissed a viral news circulating on social media claiming an attack on an 18-seater bus carrying Igbo passengers in Kano.

Police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement on Saturday, insisted the story is false and misleading.

The police statement came after the Edo Community in Kano condemned the gruesome murder of 16 Northerners in their country home, calling for necessary action to bring perpetrators to book.

According to SP Kiyawa, the police urged members of the public to disregard the purported news and refrain from spreading unverified information. The police warned against spreading misinformed stories and hate speeches that can cause harm, panic, and unrest in the community.

“The Kano State Police Command is committed to maintaining law and order in the state and ensuring the safety and security of all residents, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds,” he said.

“We have commenced an investigation into the source of this fake news and will take necessary actions to bring those responsible to justice. We appeal to the public to cooperate with the police and report any suspicious activities or individuals spreading false information to the nearest police station or through our emergency numbers.”

Addressing journalists on Saturday, the spokesman of the Edo community, Philip Tomor, said the association in Kano strongly condemned the incident that occurred in Uromi Edo State, where travellers (Hunters) were attacked and killed.

Tomor stressed that “We stand on the side of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to condemn the mob attack by some hoodlums in Uromi, Edo State, on 27th of March, 2025.”

The Community also expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives and pray the Almighty Allah admit the souls of the victims in paradise. He called on the security apparatus to properly investigate and bring the culprits to book.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has extended sympathy to the families and friends of the victims involved in the tragic incident in Uromi, Edo State, and insisted on thorough and prompt action of concerned authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.

Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, asserted preliminary reports indicated the victims, predominantly hunters journeying from Rivers State to Kano to join their loved ones in celebrating Eid—were ambushed by a vigilante group.

The Commissioner believed the assault escalated when their vehicle was forcibly intercepted, leading to the victims being savagely beaten and set ablaze.

Waiya argued that the unconscionable act of mob violence is not only a personal tragedy to the affected families but also a stark indicator of the disturbing rise of extrajudicial measures in Nigeria.

According to him, “It undermines the sanctity of human life and erodes public trust in the state’s ability to uphold law and order. In light of these events, we call for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident.

“All individuals found to be complicit in this atrocity must be brought to justice, including any law enforcement personnel who may have neglected their duty. Nigerian authorities are reminded of their unequivocal obligation under international law to protect the rights and lives of all citizens, ensuring that no act of violence or torture goes unpunished.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu and Governor Monday Okpebholo to denounce this act unequivocally and to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to justice by ensuring that the perpetrators are swiftly prosecuted through a fair and impartial trial.”