By Adesina Wahab
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has decried the killing of 16 persons in Uromi, Edo State by a mob which took them for kidnappers.
The association, in a statement by the National President, Comrade Oladoja Olushola, described the development as very unfortunate.
“The gruesome killing of travellers in Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, is disheartening, highly condemnable, and disrespectful of the principle of the right to life. NANS unequivocally condemns this unlawful action, stands in solidarity with the victims, and demands a full investigation and prosecution of the culprits of this heinous act.
“While several news reports allege that the killings were inspired by suspicions that the victims were terrorists and kidnappers because of the presence of dane guns in the truck in which they travelled, it is not in the place of informal security services and community members to take laws into their hands or unleash mayhem on fellow citizens, even if their suspicion was confirmed. Besides questioning the legality of the actions of the Edo State Security Corps and the local vigilantes to act in the manner that they did, the reaction of the informal security outfits was swift, brutal, and brash. It is a shame that many local vigilantes, who are supposed to complement the concerted efforts of formal security services in security provision, have become unruly and seemingly untameable, acting in ways that are rogue-like and contradictory to the principles of security governance and provision.
“The conclusions around the identity of the travellers and the unfounded allegations that followed reveal the need for local authorities to review and curtail the powers that some informal security actors possess. This sad event could become a precursor to a vicious circle of intercommunal violence, intensifying further some of the existing deep-seated resentment that some communities in Northern and Southern Nigeria feel towards one another. At a time when our security services are working hard to surmount the proliferation of insecurity situations in the country, the killing of these travellers could make efforts at improving citizens’ safety to become counterproductive.
“As an organisation that upholds human rights and respects the rule of law and its influence in ensuring the fair administration of justice in our country, NANS vehemently demands that the perpetrators of this heinous crime face the full wrath of the law. We acknowledge and appreciate the prompt response of the Edo State Government by visiting the scene of the incident, creating the mechanisms to strengthen dialogue among relevant stakeholders and communities affected on all sides, and committing to ensure an investigation into the killings. This proactive action is a step in the right direction to prevent further escalation of violence or reprisals.
“As we call on the Nigerian Government and heads of formal security services to play complementary roles in resolving this issue, we kindly urge all students and youths in the affected communities to desist from violence and remain law-abiding. Violence will never give us constructive results; therefore, let all stakeholders work collaboratively to address the impacts of this action on social relationships and prevent a potential recurrence of this dastardly act.”
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