The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has set a 14-day deadline for both the Edo and federal governments to take legal action against those responsible for the deaths of traveling hunters who were intercepted by a local vigilante group in the state.
In a statement released on Saturday, Abubakar Jiddere, the spokesperson for the NEF, emphasized that the punishment of the offenders should be made public to deter similar acts of violence in the future.
Additionally, the forum called for the immediate recovery of the victims’ remains to be returned to their families for “honorable burials in accordance with their religious beliefs.”
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi region of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern origin who were en route to Kano from Elele in Rivers State.
The travelers were attacked and lynched after members of the vigilante group raised suspicions that they were kidnappers.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the police and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The Edo police command has also reported the arrest of 14 individuals in connection with this incident.
The NEF, while condemning the “barbaric, extra-judicial, and cowardly killing” of the hunters, said the north would “take stringent action in response to the inhumane attack on its peace-loving people”.
“The north has tolerated numerous such animalistic and cannibalistic acts of recklessness from some southern part of Nigeria in the past,” the statement reads.
“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 arrest and trial of all individuals responsible for the attack and the brutal killings of the innocent travellers.
“The NEF demands a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those that aided the crime to ensure full transparency and accountability.
“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 behaviour never occurs again.
“An unreserved apology from the Edo State Government to the North for this heinous attack on its people.
“Failure to do so will compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice for her people and the North.”
The NEF urged the federal government to deliver justice for the families of the victims in order to preserve peace, while also encouraging residents of the north to remain calm as the authorities address the situation.