By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The National Human Rights Commission NHRC, on Tuesday April 1, 2025, commended the Edo state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his efforts, so far, in dousing tensions, and calming frayed nerves in the face of the Uromi killings.
The Source reports that about 16 Northern travelers were on Thursday March 26, brutally murdered by a mob who mistook the traditional hunters from Kano as part of the kidnappers that have been terrorizing some parts of the State of recent.
The Edo State Governor, since the unfortunate incident which has drawn widespread condemnation, has been engaging in a series of trouble-shooting efforts.
On Monday, the Governor paid a sympathy visit to the Kano state Government and the families of the victims where he promised to assist them.
Before then, he had visited the Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, a scion of Kano State ,and other relevant stakeholders in Abuja in a bid to calm down tension.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, particularly, expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s suspension of the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin a retired Commissioner of Police, and the banning of illegal vigilante groups within the State .
The Commission, however, cautioned that, a lot still needs to be done in terms of ensuring justice for the victims and preventing a repeat of the ugly scenario in future.
“We Commend the Edo State Governor for his swift action in suspending the Commander of the Edo state Security Corps CP Friday Ibadin rtd, and banning of illegal vigilante groups in the state.
“However, more need to be done to ensure justice for the victims and prevent such tragedies in the future”, Ojukwu stated.
The Commission’s boss also warned against the resort to self help and jungle justice by Nigerians, noting that the right to life is well captured in both the country’s Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Similarly, he underscored the victims’ rights to freedom of movement as equally enshrined in the Nigerian and International human rights laws and their sanctity.
To this end, the NHRC urged all relevant authorities to take all legal steps towards arresting and prosecuting those found culpable in the dastardly act.
“The Commission demands that the perpetrators be identified and brought to justice.
“We call on the Government to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
“There is no justification for mob action anywhere in the world”, the Commission’s Executive Secretary noted.
He described the killing of the travelers as horrific, and a gross violation of the right to life.
He assured that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation as well as engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice is served .
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
