Jos killings: NHRC urges FG to arrest, prosecute perpetrators

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the recent brutal killings in Jos, Plateau State, calling on the Federal Government to stop the killings and prosecute perpetrators of such dastardly acts which have claimed numerous innocent lives and leaving many with severe injuries.

A statement by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of the NHRC, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, on Friday said the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call while reacting to the recent killing in Jos.

The statement quoted Ojukwu saying that the senseless violence was reminder of the heinous attacks in other parts of the country, including Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara states etc, where citizens are being massacred like animals.

“We strongly condemn these senseless killings and express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims”, Ojukwu said.

Ojukwu said, NHRC not only condemns these killings, but it also demands immediate action to protect the right to life of everyone living in Nigeria.

“Enough is enough. The government must act now to stop these atrocities and bring perpetrators to justice. The silence is deafening, and the lack of accountability is emboldening these bloodthirsty attackers”, he added.

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The NHRC boss further called on security agencies to redouble their efforts in protecting innocent citizens by immediately deploying more security personnel to affected areas to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of citizens.

He also called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the heinous crimes, ensuring that justice is served swiftly and severely to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Senior lawyer said, the victims must not be left behind, “there is need to provide support and protection to vulnerable populations and survivors of attacks, including adequate compensation and medical care.

“We commend the Plateau State government for the steps taken so far, but more needs to be done”, he said and stressed the need to address underlying factors that fuel this violence, such as poverty, inequality, and hate speech, in order to prevent future occurrences.

According to him, “The NHRC will not relent in advocating for the protection of human rights in Nigeria. We demand justice for the victims and their families. The right to life is non-negotiable, let us all protect it”, he said.