The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD) has condemned in strong terms the brutal killing of 16 hunters travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Kano State for Sallah celebrations by a vigilante group at Uromi, Edo State.
Speaking about the sad development in Abuja, the executive director of PPASD, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, described the act as despicable.
He condemned what he called “this man‘s inhumanity to man”saying, “Our hearts bled as we saw the video circulated on social media.”
“Jungle justice has no place in all civilised societies. 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.
“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.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the departed souls. May Almighty God console, comfort and strengthen them in this period of grief. We also extend our condolences to the government and people of Kano State for the brutal murder of these compatriots,” he said.
