Kola Oyelere, Author at Tribune Online

•Edo gov suspends security chief, vigilante groups • Kano govt deploys delegation to Edo•PFN condemns killing, calls for justice Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has urged authorities to take decisive action against those responsible for the killing of Kano indigenes in Uromi, Edo State. He also stressed that justice must be served to uphold peace and stability in the country. He made the call during his Eid-el-Fitr sermon at the Kofar Mata Eid ground in Kano on Sunday, speaking on the need for swift and firm measures to prevent further violence. While acknowledging statements from some government officials regarding the incident, the Emir insisted that mere condemnation was not enough, but that concrete steps must be taken to hold the perpetrators accountable. Addressing youths in Kano, the monarch urged them to avoid any acts of retaliation, reminding them that revenge is prohibited in Islam. He emphasized that peace and justice must be pursued through lawful means. The gathering was attended by thousands of worshippers, including the state governor and his deputy. Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) would work closely with the police and other relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the killing. In a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, the CDS condemned the killing in strong terms, noting that it could have been avoided if the appropriate authorities had been notified and involved in ascertaining the identity of the victims. According to the statement, Gen. Musa condoled with President Bola Tinubu and the families of the victims, and urged Nigerians not to take the law into their own hands. He also warned that all local hunters and vigilante groups must register with the police, DSS, AFN and any other agencies mandated by law to regulate the possession of firearms. In a related development, the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general elections, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has strongly condemned the killing of the 16 northern travelers in Uromi, and called for thorough investigation. In his Facebook post, Senator Kwankwaso described the incident as barbaric and emphasized the right of all Nigerians to travel freely without fear of harassment or intimidation. Also, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, also strongly condemned the killing. In a statement issued in Kano, Senator Musa described the incident as a heinous act that demands an unwavering response from security and judicial institutions. He emphasized that all individuals found complicit in the atrocity must be brought to justice, including law enforcement personnel who may have neglected their duty. Senator Musa urged Nigerians to live in harmony, regardless of their differences. Edo gov suspends security chief, illegal vigilante groups The Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of all illegal vigilante groups operating under whatever guise in the state. He also suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (rtd.). According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, the action followed a review of the preliminary report on the killing of travellers in Uromi on Thursday. The statement reads in part:“It is to be reiterated that the local vigilante group involved in the gruesome killing of 27th March was operating illegally as it was never profiled or registered with Edo State Security Corps. “Its actions do not reflect the core values, character and principles of the Okpebholo administration or the objectives of the corps as enshrined in the Edo State Security Corps Governance Law. “Investigations into the killings are ongoing and fourteen (14) persons have been arrested so far, while there is an intense manhunt for others involved in the gruesome killing by a special team set up by the Inspector-General of Police.” The Edo State government reiterated its belief in the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens to move freely or engage in lawful business in any part of the country. Kano sends delegation to Edo Meanwhile, the Kano State government has concluded arrangement to deploy a powerful delegation to engage with the Edo State government and the Hausa community in the state on the incident. The delegation, set to depart for Edo on Monday (today), is expected to ensure that justice is served and those responsible for the heinous act are brought to book. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made this known in a live broadcast, where he condemned the barbaric act, describing it as “uncalled for.” He assured the people of Kano that his administration would leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. “We will ensure that all those affected are fully compensated,” Governor Yusuf stated. “I have spoken with the Edo State governor, and he has assured me that most of the suspected culprits have been apprehended, and investigations are ongoing,” he said. He urged the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their own hands. Governor Yusuf also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Kano State. PFN condemns killing of travellers in Edo, calls for justice The National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop David Bakare, has strongly condemned the killing of 16 travelling hunters in Edo. Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Kaduna, Bakare called for thorough investigations into the ungodly act to ensure that the perpetrators are fished out and brought to justice. The cleric also appealed against reprisal attacks, pointing out that two wrongs cannot make a right. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged the authorities to ensure that the culprits are brought to book. “We strongly condemn this barbaric and ungodly act. Even if they were kidnappers, that does not warrant taking the law into our own hands; the right thing was to hand them over to law enforcement agents for proper investigation and legal action. “We urge that thorough investigation must be carried out on this matter to ensure that the culprits are brought to book, no matter who they may be,” he said. Arrest culprits, Reps spokesman tells security agencies Spokesman for the House of Representatives and lawmaker representing Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, Akintunde Rotimi, has called for the arrest of the perpetrators of the killing. He made the call at the weekend in Ayede-Ekiti, IkoleLocal Government Area of Ekiti State, during the second Ramadan Annual Lecture he organised in honour of the national vice president of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Aare Sulaiman Ogunlayi. The lawmaker stressed that Nigerians should be able to coexist peacefully regardless of ethnic or religious differences. “On behalf of the people of Ikole/Oye-Ekiti Federal Constituency, we condemn the violent mob attack on those travelers in Edo State. “We call on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice,” he said. In his lecture entitled ‘Build the Family to Build the Nation’, a Navy Captain and the Chief Imam of the Defence Headquarters Mosque in Abuja, Dr. Taofeeq Miqdad, identified family instability as a major factor contributing to national insecurity and political instability. He emphasized that Nigeria would not be in crisis if families raised peaceful and responsible children before they ventured into politics. Another high point of the event was a presentation of an award to the lawmaker by the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Ekiti North Senatorial District, in recognition of his unwavering support to the Muslim community. In his remarks, Aare Sulaiman Ogunlayi urged the Muslim community to embrace the lessons learnt in the holy month to spur them to rise up to the challenges of developing their families, Ekiti State and Nigeria generally. READ ALSO: 15 suspects in custody over Uromi killings — Edo govt