Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the gruesome mob killing of 16 northern travellers in Edo State, calling for the immediate prosecution of those responsible.
The incident, which took place in Udune Efandion, Uromi, on Thursday, saw the travellers—mostly Hausa hunters—lynched after being falsely accused of being criminals. According to reports, the victims were intercepted by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes while traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebrations. Without any investigation, they were reportedly profiled as “Fulani herdsmen” and kidnappers, leading to a violent mob attack that resulted in their deaths.
Reacting to the tragedy, Sowore decried the brutality of the act and the failure of security operatives to intervene.
“Yesterday, some northerners returning home for Sallah celebrations were reportedly stopped by vigilantes in Edo State and, without warning and due diligence, profiled and announced to be deadly ‘Fulani herdsmen’ and kidnappers,” he stated.
He further condemned the savage nature of the attack, saying, “A deadly mob descended on them and burnt them, most of them alive after they’d been severely beaten.”
The activist stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice, warning against the dangers of mob action.
“I condemn the mob justice visited on these innocent citizens and ask that security agents fish out and punish those involved,” he demanded.
Sowore also criticised law enforcement officers for their inaction, describing their failure to protect the victims as gross negligence.
“As well as Nigerian policemen and women who refused to save these innocent men from the mob, they acted negligently,” he said.
The former presidential candidate reiterated that such extrajudicial killings should have no place in any civilized society.
“There is no sane society that should tolerate this inhumane act of bestiality,” he declared.
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