CSO condemns murder of hunters in Edo, calls for laws to end mob killings

The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, a civil society organisation (CSO), has called on the national and state assemblies to enact laws to curb mob killings in Nigeria.

In a statement on Saturday, Sani Shinkafi, the organisation’s executive director, condemned the killing of 16 hunters in Edo state. 

On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the hunters were killed after a local vigilante group, who mistook them for kidnappers, found 19 locally fabricated firearms in their possession.

The group described the killing as “heartless, ungodly, barbaric and savagery”.

“Our hearts bled as we saw fellow compatriots burnt alive by the vigilantes in the video circulated on social media for merely traveling home to celebrate Sallah with their families,” the statement reads.

“Jungle justice has no place in all civilised societies. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. The country is governed by the rule of law. Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees citizens’ right to freedom of movement. 

“The Constitution also provides the right to fair hearing in a court of competent jurisdiction if an offence is allegedly committed. There is no place for a mob action let alone setting fellow citizens ablaze and watched them die. Whither our common humanity? We must redefine our values as a people.

“Section (14)2b of the 1999 Constitution provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. We urge security agencies to ensure the protection of citizens anywhere they are particularly at festive periods that require traveling.

“We also urge the inspector-general of police and relevant security agents to apprehend the perpetrators of this evil to face the full weight of the law. This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the country.

“We urge the national assembly and state house of assemblies across the 36 states to enact laws that will curb mob killings in Nigeria.”