The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the gruesome killing of travelers in Edo State.
The victims, mostly Hausa hunters, were on their way to Kano to celebrate the Sallah festivities when members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes intercepted them.
In a statement signed by the NANS National President, Oladoja Olushola, on Saturday, the students’ association described the incident as “disrespectful of the principle of the right to life.”
NANS demanded a full investigation and the prosecution of the culprits responsible for the maiming and killings. The students’ association, however, stressed the need for local authorities to review and curtail the powers wielded by some informal security outfits.
The statement reads:
“The gruesome killing of travelers in Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, is disheartening, highly condemnable, and disrespectful of the principle of the right to life. NANS unequivocally condemns this unlawful action, stands in solidarity with the victims, and demands a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the maiming and killings.
“While several news reports allege that the killings were inspired by suspicions that the victims were terrorists and kidnappers because of the presence of dane guns in the truck with which they traveled, it is not within the remit of informal security services and community members to take the law into their hands or unleash mayhem on fellow citizens, even if their suspicion was confirmed.
“Besides questioning the legality of the actions of the Edo State Security Corps and the local vigilantes in acting as they did, the reaction of the informal security outfits was swift, brutal, and rash. It is regrettable that many local vigilantes, who are supposed to complement the concerted efforts of formal security services in providing security, have become unruly and seemingly untameable, acting in rogue-like and contradictory ways to the principles of security governance and provision.
“The conclusions surrounding the identity of the travelers and the unfounded allegations that followed reveal the need for local authorities to review and curtail the powers that some informal security actors are wielding. This tragic event could become a precursor to a vicious cycle of intercommunal violence, intensifying the deep-seated resentment that some communities in Northern and Southern Nigeria harbor toward one another.
“At a time when our security services are working hard to overcome the proliferation of insecurity in the country, the killing of these travelers could make efforts at improving citizens’ safety counterproductive.
“As an organization that upholds human rights and respects the rule of law, while ensuring the fair administration of justice in our country, NANS vehemently demands that the perpetrators of this heinous crime face the full wrath of the law.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the prompt response of the Edo State Government in visiting the community where the incident occurred, establishing mechanisms to strengthen dialogue among relevant stakeholders and affected communities, and committing to an investigation into the killings. This proactive action is a step in the right direction to prevent further escalation of violence or reprisals.
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“As we call on the Nigerian Government and heads of formal security services to play complementary roles in resolving this issue, we kindly urge all students and youths in the affected communities to desist from violence and remain law-abiding. Violence will never yield constructive results; therefore, let all stakeholders work collaboratively to address the impacts of this action on social relationships and prevent a potential recurrence of this heinous act.”
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