Edo travellers’ killing a wake-up call for security agencies – NBA

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), has condemned the gruesome murder of travelling hunters, who were mobbed to death in Uromi, a community in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victims, who were mobbed, were reportedly travelling from Port Harcourt when they were stopped at Uromi, accused of criminal activity, and gruesomely murdered, allegedly by vigilante groups who raised the alarm upon finding the travellers in possession of guns. Their vehicle was also set on fire.

The Bar president, in a statement late Friday night, also condemned vigilante justice, stressing that it is deeply disturbing for mobs to lynch suspected criminals rather than report them to the police.

Osigwe decried the jungle justice meted out to the alleged suspects, emphasising that no individual, regardless of alleged crimes, should be subjected to such brutality.

“It is deeply troubling that mobs continue to take the law into their hands, attacking and lynching suspected criminals, often without the intervention of law enforcement agencies. No individual, regardless of the crime they are alleged to have committed, should be subjected to mob violence. Every accused person has the right to be investigated and, where necessary, prosecuted in a court of law. Allowing mob actions to persist undermines the very foundation of our criminal justice system and portrays Nigeria as a society where lawlessness prevails.”

Osigwe called on law enforcement agencies to bring those behind the attack to justice, urging them not to allow the crime to go unpunished.

“This tragic incident must serve as a wake-up call for our law enforcement agencies to ensure that no such crime goes unpunished. Justice must be served, and perpetrators of mob violence must be held accountable to deter future occurrences.”

He further urged the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Uromi killings.

He stressed the need for justice, adding that vigilante justice has no place in a society governed by the rule of law.

Osigwe extended condolences to the families of the deceased hunters, expressing deep sorrow for their loss. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May their souls rest in peace,” he said.