The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the recent gruesome killing of 16 travelling hunters in Edo State who were mistaken for kidnappers.
The executive secretary of the commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, expressed concern over the horrific incident, which highlights the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for effective law enforcement and respect for human rights.
“We commend Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift and decisive action in suspending the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (rtd), and banning all illegal vigilante groups operating in the state, but more needs to be done.”
“We at the Commission demand that all the perpetrators be fished out and brought to justice. We call on the government to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future; there is no justification for jungle justice anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of the Country said the Commission wishes to use this opportunity to remind the government and the people of Nigeria that every individual has the right to life, as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as well as Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, he said the Commission emphasized that the freedom of movement, as guaranteed by the Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has been grossly violated in this dastardly incident.
He said the commission would continue to advocate for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. He urged the Edo State Government to continue its investigation into the killings and ensure that all perpetrators face the full wrath of the law. He promised that his Commission would continue to monitor the investigation process to ensure that justice is served.
