Reps, Kano govt, JNI, others condemn mob killing of 16 travellers in Edo

 

THE killing of 16 travellers suspected to be kidnappers by a mob in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government of Edo State has continued to draw wide condemnations across the country.

Recall that 16 hunters travelling to Kano State from Rivers for Sallah festivities were intercepted by local vigilantes after which they were beaten and killed.

The incident has drawn condemnation from the presidency, the Edo State government and other concerned stakeholders, who described the killing as barbaric and an assault on the peaceful coexistence of both the state and the country.

Leading the fresh pack of condemnations was the House of Representatives which described the killings as a horrific act and a grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the house acknowledged the directives of President Bola Tinubu, and Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, instructing security agencies to conduct an urgent investigation into the killings.

Rotimi urged law-enforcement agencies to ensure all perpetrators were promptly identified, arrested and prosecuted.

The spokesman commended security agencies for their swift and timely intervention, which led to the rescue of survivors and the arrest of some suspects.

He said that the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, cowardly and unacceptable.”

Rotimi quoted speaker as saying that such acts of brutality had no place in a society that upheld the sanctity of life – a fundamental principle deeply rooted in both Islamic and Christian teachings.

“It is deeply disturbing that in our nation, fellow citizens can be subjected to such heinous violence, especially when our faith traditions teach us to honour the sanctity of every human life.”

Abbas also called for calm and urged Nigerians to refrain from acts that could escalate tensions.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts by security agencies, community leaders and citizens to prevent further occurrences of such tragic incidents.

Abbas said that beyond immediate justice, the tragic incident underscored the urgent need for a national conversation on mob violence, extrajudicial killings and ethnic profiling, which threatened the nation’s collective peace and unity.

The speaker called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance response mechanisms and implement proactive measures to prevent mob justice and protect all citizens, regardless of ethnicity

Abbas called on community leaders, religious institutions and traditional rulers to actively foster mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for the rule of law within their communities.

In the same vein, the Kano State government condemned the gruesome killing of the travelers and called for immediate and decisive action against those responsible for the barbaric act.

This was just as the state government “warned that failure to address this culture of impunity would further destabilise communities and weaken the rule of law.”

Making this known in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government expressed deep sympathy for the victims’ families and friends, describing the attack as a heinous act that demands urgent justice.

According to him, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims, mostly hunters traveling from Rivers State to Kano for the Eid celebrations, were ambushed by a vigilante group and armed youths.”

Reports indicate that their vehicle was forcibly intercepted before they were brutally beaten, bound with used tyres, soaked in petrol and set ablaze.

The government stated that “This unconscionable act of mob violence is not only a personal tragedy for the affected families but also a stark indicator of the disturbing rise of extrajudicial measures in Nigeria. It undermines the sanctity of human life and erodes public trust in the state’s ability to uphold law and order.”

The Kano State government then called for a thorough, transparent investigation into the killings, stressing that all individuals involved—including any law enforcement personnel who failed in their duties—must be held accountable.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu and Governor Monday Okpebholo to denounce this act unequivocally and ensure that the perpetrators face swift and fair prosecution,” the statement read.

Also, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) condemned the killing of the travellers, according to  a statement issued by the JNI Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Aliyu, on Saturday in Kaduna.

Aliyu said, “This heinous and despicable act occurred in Udune Efandion, an Uromi community in Esan North Local Government, Edo.”

According to him, JNI also rejects the generalisation of criminals as representatives of an entire group, as this leads to unjust stereotyping and hate campaigns.

“We condemn all criminals, whoever they are and wherever they come from. A criminal should be treated as such, regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation,” he said.

Aliyu appealed to the Muslim community and the people of Kano State to refrain from any reprisal attack in the name of Allah.

He called for a thorough manhunt and the subsequent arrest of all those responsible for the Edo carnage by the relevant security agencies.

“The Edo Government must ensure the prosecution of the perpetrators to a logical conclusion, with death sentences to serve as a deterrent,” he said.

Also condemning the incident, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Sale, described the  grusome killing as barbaric and enemies of progress.

He said: “I commend the president for directing a manhunt for the perpetrators. I learnt that following the president’s directive fourteen suspects have been arrested.

“At this juncture, President Tinubu deserves commendation by all Nigerians for his prompt response to this dastardly act. It is a clear example of exemplary leadership and his dedication to the nation’s advancement.”

He emphasised for Nigerians to embrace one another as brothers and sisters for national development, saying protection of innocent lives in all parts of the country remains paramount.

Edo Islamic council, community leaders call for calm

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, in a statement issued by its chairman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, on Saturday, appealed to Hausa community in Uromi and indeed Edo State to remain calm, peaceful and resist the temptation for retaliation and instead should seek justice through lawful means.

Similarly, the President of the Edo Community in Kano, Elder Patric Agba, and the Sarki Edo in Kano, Fred Akhigbe, have called for calm in the wake of the killings.

Agba described the act as satanic which must be strongly berated by every right thinking people while Akhigbe commended President Tinubu and the Edo State governor for their swift reaction on the matter.

While speaking with press on the incident in Kano on Saturday, Dr Agba described the incident as “condemnable and unfortunate,” and expressed solidarity with President Tinubu and the Edo State governor in condemning the barbaric act.

He stated that “We hoped that the culprits would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

“The Edo community in Kano also sympathised with the Kano State government, the families of the victims, and the general populace.”

He added that the Edo people are peace-loving and do not align themselves with those who participate in such sad incidents.

“We thank God as the police have arrested 14 suspects in connection with the incident, and an investigation is ongoing,” adding that whoever was behind the ugly incident should not go unpunished.

Dr Agba called on the authorities to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future.

On his part, the Sarki Edo in Kano, Akhigbe, said what had happened was not known to their people, noting that “they are peace-loving citizens who live with everybody regardless of their background in harmony.”

According to him, “We see what had happened as an afront to the unity of the country and we don’t accept it. It is illegal and stands condemnable. We call on the government to ensure that justice is been carried accordingly.”

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