The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has demanded a thorough investigation into also called for full compensation to be paid to the families of the victims.
In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF deplored the gruesome, cold-blooded murder of 16 (so far) Nigerian citizens by mobsters masquerading as community vigilantes in Uromi, Edo State, last Thursday.
Prof Muhammad-Baba said the victims were travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations and were simply passing through Edo State when they were attacked and killed in the most brazen, barbaric and heart-wrenching manner, reminiscent of prehistoric times.
“Ostensibly, the victims met their sad ends after being ‘mistaken’ for kidnappers. Expectedly, the incident continues to elicit outrage and condemnation from many in Nigeria and beyond. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, key media outlets, etc., have also condemned the incident, calling for investigations and justice to prevail.”
ACF, however, rejected the misleading narratives, perhaps designed to blunt the horrors of the tragedy: that the incident was an outcome of mistaken identity.
“Beyond the surface, at play was the widespread ethnic profiling, deeply entrenched stereotyping and prejudices against Northerners. It remains inconceivable and counterintuitive that ‘kidnappers’ operate openly, in plain public view, on highways through towns and communities. Suspected ‘kidnappers’ ought to have been surrendered to the Police, as was the driver of the vehicle conveying them in the instant case.
“Incompetence, if not indeed complicity, of law enforcement agencies, especially personnel of the NPF, also enabled the tragedy, as did impunity. Many a criminal harbour little fear of justice, which usually comes very slowly, if at all.”
ACF described the Uromi killings as an illustration of Nigeria’s shambolic state of security.
It went on: “ACF recalls drawing attention to the not-infrequent attacks and fatal harassment of trailer drivers conveying goods along roads in the South East. Thus, the tragedy cannot be isolated from the pattern of ethnic profiling against Northerners pursuing livelihood opportunities in other parts of Nigeria.
“In plain terms, Uromi 19 was premeditated and fits into the pattern of misbegotten ethnic profiling and stigmatisation against Northerners, and these must not be dismissed or ignored, for their broader implications for national security, unity and harmonious inter-group relations in Nigeria.”
Although ACF commended the quick reaction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who directed security agents to fish out and prosecute the perpetrators, it, however, said, “the president’s response was at best plaintive, as he gave no timelines and assigned specific responsibilities, given the grave consequences of the tragedy.”
The forum also commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his prompt attention to the incident, which included disbanding unregistered vigilante operations, suspending officials overseeing non-state security operators, reaching out to the Kano State Government, the families of the victims, and the Arewa Community in the State, and taking other measures to bring the situation under control.
It, however, said that suspension from duty is insufficient and that such officials must be investigated for possible culpability in the incident.
The ACF further called for full compensation to the families of the victims for the loss of their members as well as a thorough investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of the tragedy by an independent judicial commission panel, including policemen connected to the incident.
“This, in view of emerging witness accounts which, ominously, suggest that relevant Nigeria Police Force (NPF) offices were alerted to the tragedy as it unfolded but did little to intervene.
“The relevant heads of such NPF offices (Divisional Police Officers, or DPOs) should be suspended pending further investigations and necessary action into their behaviours before, during and after the incident.”
The northern group called on the federal government and state governments to take concrete steps to end what it described as the profiling and stigmatisation of Northerners, and for due respect to their rights of movement and residency in any part of Nigeria, in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution.
ACF also called on northerners to avoid reprisal attacks and all forms of violence but to remain law-abiding and accommodating to strangers in their midst.
Also, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the federal and Edo State governments to pay blood money to the families of the 16 hunters killed in Uromi.
In a statement, JNI secretary-general Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu thanked the Kano State government and security agencies for restraining reprisal attacks in Kano.
JNI said, “The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, JNI, acknowledges and appreciates the efforts so far put in place by the Kano State Government and the security agencies in restraining reprisal attacks in Kano State. The Kano Emirate is also appreciated for cancelling its durbar to avert people taking advantage of it.
“While we are following unfolding events in Edo State and also appreciate steps so far taken by the Edo State Government over the 16 murdered Uromi victims, we strongly call on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the Edo State Government to pay blood money (Diyya) to the bereaved families of the massacred Uromi victims, for equity, social justice and to foreclose any acts of discontent.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the federal government to arrest and prosecute those behind the gruesome murder of 16 northern travellers in Uromi, Edo State.
The national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr Ezechukwu Ezechi, made the call in an exclusive telephone interview with LEADERSHIP in Enugu.
He said it was unfortunate and disheartening that some people carried out such callous acts on their fellow human beings.
Edo Gov Visits Kano, Vows Justice for Victims
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited Kano State to commiserate with the governor and people of the state over the tragic incident at Uromi last Thursday.
Governor Okpebholo described the incident as sad, saying he was greatly touched upon hearing the news. He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the Hausa community and the people of the state, noting that some of them contributed money to support his election.
He disclosed that 14 people had been arrested so far and will be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
He, however, sympathised with the state governor and families of the affected victims and prayed to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant the families the fortitude to bear the loss.
The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, lamented the incident and disclosed that most of the victims are from two LGAs—Bankure and Rano. He appreciated the federal government and the Edo State Governor for taking decisive and immediate action to catch the perpetrators. He urged their immediate prosecution to ensure justice prevails and serves as a deterrent to future occurrences.
He maintained that Kano is the most peaceful state in northern Nigeria, accommodating people from diverse communities. According to him, he appointed about 40 special advisers on community relations to ensure harmonious relationships in the state. He said what happened in Edo State is a lesson for all to learn and promote peaceful living.
In their various remarks, the chairman of the Hausa Community in Edo State, Badamasi Saleh, and the Edo community leader in Kano, Chief Fred Jesse, said both communities have a cordial relationship with their host states.
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