NIGERIA: Northern Elders Give FG, Edo Gov, 14-Day Ultimatum Over Mob Attack

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government, to take swift action in response to the brutal mob attack that led to the deaths of Northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State.

The victims, who were reportedly traveling home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha with their families, were killed in the attack.

In a statement released on Saturday, NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, strongly condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, extra-judicial, and cowardly.”

He said: “The North has tolerated numerous such animalistic and cannibalistic 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. Consequently, the 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 honorable 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”.

The forum also demanded that the government should issue a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those who aided the crime, to ensure full transparency and accountability.

He added: “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 behavior 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.

Professor Jiddere further stated: “The NEF demands that both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government take concrete steps to fulfill these demands within 14 days. Failure to do so will compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice

for its people.”

The NEF also urged Northern communities to remain calm and patient while the forum pursues justice through appropriate government channels.

In light of these events, the Northern Elders Forum is calling for justice to preserve peace, stability, and coexistence among all Nigerians.

Recall that on the 28th of March, a mob attack on the said travellers took place in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of 16 travelers and injuries to several others.

The local vigilante group, suspecting the travelers of being kidnappers, launched the attack while they were en route from Rivers State to Kano for Eid al-Fitr.

Survivors described that the brutal beatings took place without any investigation or interrogation.

However, the Nigerian Police have arrested 14 suspects.