“The NHRC urged the government to implement specific measures to avoid similar incidents in the future,” it stated.
The NHRC has called for justice regarding the 16 hunters who were lynched last Thursday in Edo State, and has appealed to the government to implement measures designed to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, voiced his worries regarding the mob killing in a media release published in Abuja on Tuesday.
The commission insists that all those responsible must be identified and held accountable.
“The statement urged the government to implement specific measures to avoid similar events from happening again, as there is no excuse for vigilante justice anywhere globally,” it stated.
The 16 travellers were
reportedly lynched
Following their misidentification as kidnappers by local vigilantes on Thursday on the Uromi/Obajana Expressway within the Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Reports indicate that the victims were en route from Rivers State to Kano for the Eid-el-Fitr festivities when they encountered an assault by local vigilante groups. The attackers whipped the victims and subsequently burned them alive.
The Nigerian Police
announced
On March 29th, 14 individuals linked to the case were apprehended.
Rights violated
On Tuesday, the NHRC issued a statement urging both the Nigerian government and citizens to uphold the right to life and freedom of movement, following the killing of 16 individuals in an atrocity where these rights were blatantly disregarded.
He pointed out that the right to life is established in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Federal Republic Constitution
state
that the sanctity of life for every person should be upheld unless that individual has been condemned to death.
Article 6 of the
International Pact on Civil and Political Rights
goes on to advocate for the elimination of capital punishment.
Moreover, Mr. Ojukwu urged Nigerians to uphold the right to free movement as assured by the Constitution, Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The event has sparked nationwide anger, with leading figures and civil society organizations (CSOs) demanding a probe and ensuring the ones responsible face justice.
Amongst
They include former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Amnesty International, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
and
previous contenders for president, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Edo govt. reacts
On Saturday, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki issued an immediate suspension for the commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, who is a retired police commissioner, due to this incident.
killing of hunters
in the state.
On Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhidor, issued an official statement indicating that the governor has suspended all unauthorized vigilante organizations active within the state.
Their suspensions came after reviewing the initial report of the horrific killings of several hunters in Uromi.
The Esan North East Local Government Area
On Thursday, Mt Ikhilor stated regarding the state.
Mr. Ikhilor stated again that the local vigilante group responsible for the horrific killings on March 27th had been acting unlawfully and was neither documented nor registered with the Edo State Security Corps. He further noted that their acts do not align with the goals of the corps.
During his visit to the families of the victims on Monday, Mr. Okpebholo promised to provide compensation for the relatives of the 16 killed hunters.
He made the
compensation pledge when
Alongside his counterpart from Kano State, Abba Yusuf, he visited the families of the deceased hunters in Torankawa, Kano State, to offer condolences.
He praised the residents of Kano State for staying composed despite the circumstances.
“I would like to praise the residents of Kano State and all of Northern Nigeria for refraining from taking justice into their own hands and avoiding retaliatory assaults,” he stated.
Mr Okpebholo
has assured
that those responsible will encounter the complete force of the legal system.
NHRC commends governor’s actions
Mr. Ojukwu encouraged the Edo State Government to keep investigating the issue and praised the governor for suspending the leader of the Edo State Security Corps as well as prohibiting unauthorized vigilante operations throughout the state.
He likewise expressed the commission’s dedication to overseeing the continuous probe.
From our side, we will keep an eye on the investigation process to make sure justice prevails. This should act as a warning to others.
The promotion and safeguarding of human rights are crucial for national progress. Let’s adopt a culture that respects these rights and basic freedoms to improve Nigeria.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).