Slain 16 Travellers: JNI Demands Justice, Cautions Against Reprisal

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said those involved in the killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State should be served death sentences to serve as deterrence to others.

In a statement issued by JNI secretary-general, Prof Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, who described the act as condemnable and barbaric, called for the manhunt and arrest of all the perpetrators of the crime.

The group urged the people of Kano State not to engage in any reprisal, stressing that, “We are in the month of Ramadan and after it would be a festive period. Therefore, security men should be vigilant and intelligence gathering should be enhanced against any form of reprisal attack.

“The Edo State government should also follow up the prosecution to a logical conclusion, culprits should be served death sentences, so as to serve as a deterrence.

“What is Nigeria turning into – a lawless or anarchistic country? What really is the matter that the government has continued to allow criminals to go scot-free whenever they perpetrated carnage and mayhem in every of their operations against innocent citizens? Isn’t it ironic and heart-rending that citizens plying major roads in some parts of the country are often gruesomely killed, as it happened in Edo State?

“Nevertheless, JNI condemns in the strongest terms the cruel killing of the victims, just as the renewed attacks in the North East and many of such reprehensible acts. For how long shall we continue to condemn acts of extreme barbarism without concerted efforts to ending it? For how long would we continue to remain lethargic? And for how long would we continue to remain hopeless in precarious situations? Be as it may, we send our heart-felt condolences to the respective families of the commuters and the Kano State government, as it is reportedly stated that the victims were from Kano State.

“We reiterate our calls to the federal government to rise up to its primary responsibility of protecting and securing the citizens irrespective of their ethnicity or religion to go beyond the tired cliches of condemnation and appeals for calm on security failures. Nigerians are desperately yearning for concrete actions against all forms of brigands and criminalities.”

Meanwhile, the police in Edo State have arrested 14 suspects over the gruesome killing of the travellers and the burning of their truck in Udune Efandion.

The incident occurred on Thursday on the Uromi/Obajana Expressway.

The command’s public relations officer, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a statement he issued in Benin yesterday.

He condemned the killing and assured that justice would be served. He assured that the command was committed to ensuring justice for the victims, adding that no stone would be left unturned in the ongoing investigation.

He confirmed that a truck carrying 25 travellers from Elele, Rivers State, was intercepted by a vigilante group in Uromi.

During the stop, the police spokesperson said some travellers were found with locally made dane guns. This raised suspicion among the vigilante members.

“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm, claiming the travellers were suspected kidnappers. This led some community members and passers-by to attack and lynch 16 occupants. The truck conveying them was also set on fire,” Yamu said.

Police operatives from the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly moved to the scene.

Ten of the travellers were rescued, two of whom sustained injuries. They were rushed to hospital and are currently responding positively to treatment.

“In the course of investigations, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime. An emergency meeting was also convened with stakeholders and community members,” Yamu added.

Meanwhile, a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel, along with other tactical teams, has been deployed to the area. This is to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

According to Yamu, the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Betty Otimenyin, has urged peaceful coexistence among groups. She called on the residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police.

“She also cautioned against any form of reprisal attacks or unlawful gatherings that could escalate tensions,” the police spokesperson stated.

Northern Elders Give Edo Govt 14-day Ultimatum

Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed shock and sadness over the extra-judicial killing of innocent northern hunters who were returning home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr in Uromi, Edo State.

It gave a 14-day deadline for the state government and the federal government to meet their demands.

NEF demanded that, “the Edo State government and the federal government take concrete and visible steps to fulfill these demands within 14 days from the date of this release. Failure to do so will compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice for her people and the north.”

NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, condemned the act yesterday in Abuja saying it was unacceptable.

He said the North had tolerated numerous such acts of recklessness from some Southern part of Nigeria in the past. “This must come to an end. The North will take stringent action in response to this inhumane attack on its peace-loving people,” he said.

He said consequently, “NEF hereby demands the following immediate actions from the authorities in Edo State and the federal government: The swift recovery of the bodies of the victims and their dignified transfer to their families for an honourable and befitting burial in accordance with their respective faiths.

“The arrest and trial of all individuals responsible for the attack and the brutal killings of the innocent travellers. NEF demands a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those that aided the crime to ensure full transparency and accountability.

“The due payment of compensation to the families of the victims, in line with the prescribed standards of their respective faiths.

“An unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, with a commitment to ensuring that such barbaric behaviour never occurs again.

“An unreserved apology from the Edo State government to the North for this heinous attack on its people. The punishment of the perpetrators must be witnessed by the public to serve as a deterrent to any such future acts of violence.

“The federal government must ensure that justice is served to the victims and their families to preserve peace, stability and the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.

“Finally, NEF calls on the families of the victims and the good people of Northern Nigeria to remain calm and patient as we pursue this matter responsibly with the necessary agencies and authorities of the government.”

In a statement endorsed by his chief press secretary, Friday Aghedo, Edo State deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, said he remained optimistic that things would change for the better in the state and the country in general, especially with the special prayers offered during the holy month by Muslim faithful.

On the unfortunate tragic killings of some hunters in Uromi, Esan Northeast local government area, Idahosa called for calm, reassuring that the state government would investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.