‘Safety of all Nigerians must be prioritised’, CNG condemns killing of 16 hunters in Edo

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the brutal killing of 16 northern travellers at Uromi in Edo State, while transiting from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Kano State. The travellers said to be hunters, were on their way to Kano for the Sallah celebration when a mob intercepted and lynched them on […]

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the brutal killing of 16 northern travellers at Uromi in Edo State, while transiting from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Kano State.

The travellers said to be hunters, were on their way to Kano for the Sallah celebration when a mob intercepted and lynched them on suspicion that they were kidnappers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the murder of the hunters, directing the security operatives in the state to go after the killers and bring them to justice, saying that a thorough investigation should be conducted and the culprits brought to book.

The Northern Governors Forum, Amnesty International among others have also condemned the killing of the men.

In a statement issued by the National Coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in Abuja on Saturday, the coalition called on all citizens to reject such mob justice and engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to violence based on unfounded allegations.

The CNG demanded immediate and thorough investigations into the tragedy, seeking answers as to why the response from security operatives was delayed. “By the time they arrived on the scene following a distress call, the damage had already been done, and lives were irrevocably lost,” the statement said.

“This raises serious questions about the effectiveness and readiness of our security apparatus to protect the lives of all citizens, irrespective of their regional or ethnic origins. We implore the relevant authorities to ensure that such lapses do not occur in the future, as the safety of all Nigerians must be paramount.

“Furthermore, we must emphasize that this tragedy serves as a reminder that the people of the South, like those of the North, are also living in various parts of Nigeria.

“We must cultivate a sense of coexistence and mutual respect among all ethnic groups, recognizing that violence and hatred only breed further division. It is imperative that we foster a national consciousness that transcends regional boundaries and promotes unity in diversity.

“The CNG demands complete justice for the victims of this barbaric act. We will not rest until those responsible for inciting violence and those who took part in the killings are brought to justice.

“We call upon the government to take decisive action against the perpetrators and to ensure that such an atrocity is never repeated,” the coalition said.