The League of Northern Democrats (LND) demanded that the Federal and Edo State governments embark on an immediate, open, and impartial investigation into the killings of 16 Northern Nigerian travelers in Udune Efandion, Uromi, Edo State.
The group condemned the barbaric act of mob violence as an affront to justice, human dignity, and national unity. They demanded that all those involved in the atrocity be arrested and tried forthwith, including the instigators, the perpetrators, and those who had the opportunity to prevent the crime. The LND also highlighted the need to take firm measures against mob justice throughout the country to prevent a recurrence of such heinous acts.
LND official Dr. Ladan Salihu was hugely concerned with the occurrence, stating, “It is deeply troubling that in a country governed by laws, innocent citizens were profiled, falsely accused, and brutally murdered in broad daylight without investigation, without trial, and without interference from the relevant authorities.” He recalled that the same atrocities had occurred previously within Edo State against northerners, warning against what seemed to be an upcoming trend of ethnic profiling and mob injustice.
The group demands the following:
- An immediate, open, and impartial investigation by all security organs and human rights agencies.
- Arrest and prosecution of all the instigators and perpetrators within a reasonable time.
- Tougher action on mob justice to ensure such brutality is not repeated.
- Compensation and counseling to the victims’ families, as well as proper medical care for the survivors.
Dr. Salihu pleaded with the northerners to be calm and avoid going into revenge, reiterating that violence must not beget more violence. All Nigerians have to stand firm calling for a halt to impunity that allows such savagery to occur, and justice to the victims should never be used as a negotiating tool.
