The Uromi 16 and all of us

“I do not ask for mercy, I do not ask for pardon, I demand justice.” — Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistani   Regardless of tribe, religion, region, culture, norms, status, class, or political affiliation, no one is a second-class citizen as long as they are Nigerian. The media and public discussions have been dominated by […]

“I do not ask for mercy,

I do not ask for pardon,

I demand justice.”

— Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistani

 

Regardless of tribe, religion, region, culture, norms, status, class, or political affiliation, no one is a second-class citizen as long as they are Nigerian.

The media and public discussions have been dominated by the recent events in Uromi, Edo State, where innocent Nigerians were attacked, killed and burned. This act is uncalled for—it is purely barbaric, unjust and inhumane. Such actions demand justice.

Anyone supporting this wicked act must stop trying to justify this inhumanity. No amount of rhetoric, logic, or empty words can erase the pain of those innocent lives lost in Uromi.

The truth is, those who were killed in Uromi were not bandits. They were poor citizens from the North, the same region being targeted by the bandits and kidnappers that southerners also fear.

The deceased (hunters) had no business with kidnappers or bandits who terrorise northerners daily. There is ample evidence, both historical and media-based, proving the difference between local hunters and the criminals responsible for kidnappings and killings across Nigeria’s highways, camps, farms and forests.

It is important to understand that not all northerners are Hausa or Fulani or even Muslim. Likewise, not all Fulani are cattle herders. Although the Fulani traditionally live in the bush due to their livestock, they are not hunters. Hunting is a core aspect of Hausa culture—many Hausa hunters travel beyond their home territories in search of game.

A typical Hausa man does not rear cattle but raises dogs and fabricates locally made guns for hunting, a practice inherited from his ancestors. On the other hand, the Fulani are not typically farmers. However, throughout history, the Hausa and Fulani have coexisted, exchanging cultural values and traditions.

The insecurity plaguing the South due to kidnappers and bandits is far worse—perhaps 200 times more severe—in the North. This is a crisis the government has failed to address for too long.

It is crucial to note that the daily killings in the North by Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers are not being carried out by the Fulani, who have lived peacefully among us for centuries. While some individuals among the Fulani and Hausa may have joined banditry, this does not mean the entire ethnic group is responsible.

Banditry and kidnapping have now become criminal enterprises involving people from all backgrounds, regardless of tribe, religion, or region. It is Boko Haram and some bandit groups that deliberately create chaos and instill fear in peaceful communities.

Due to these criminal activities, many southerners, including those in Edo State, now assume that every northerner is a bandit or criminal simply because of their language or appearance. Similarly, in the 1980s, northerners believed that every Bendel man (present day Edo and Delta states) was an armed robber due to the notorious exploits of Lawrence Anini.

The truth is, bandits spare no one—they attack their neighbours, business partners, in-laws, and even relatives. Whether North or South, we all suffer from insecurity, inflation, and the loss of innocent lives.

Nigeria belongs to all of us. No tribe, clan, ethnicity, or region is superior to another. Justice must be served for the senseless killings in Uromi. Remember, whatever you cannot tolerate, bear, or wish for yourself, do not inflict upon others—whether they are from the North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, or South South.

My fellow Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, should stop supporting jungle justice. I implore you to join in condemning this act. Innocent people were attacked, killed and burned alive for no reason other than being Hausa or northerners.

Almost all well-meaning Nigerians have condemned this act. We demand justice for these helpless, innocent victims. The false accusations branding them as kidnappers are deeply disturbing and tragic. Such incidents highlight the need for greater awareness, education, reorientation, and the promotion of tolerance and understanding.

Fair hearing and thorough investigations must be carried out, and no individual or group should take the law into their own hands—after all, the police and the courts exist for justice.

The call by Kano State Governor Kabir Yusuf, for the public parading of the culprits is a valid one. It would help verify whether those arrested are indeed the perpetrators and ensure transparency in the process. In the past, there have been allegations of inmates being paraded as criminals, so publicising the real suspects would ease tensions and prove that the government is taking the right steps.

Lastly, those calling for Nigeria’s breakup should reconsider. Separation is not the solution to Nigeria’s problems. Instead, we must unite, love and support one another. Stop the insults, mockery and division. We must learn patience, tolerance, understanding, faithfulness, honesty, and commitment to making Nigeria better.

We should pray for our country’s unity, peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, political stability and positive societal changes.

I leave you with the words of Alexander the Great:

“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”

 

Adamu wrote from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State