The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has condemned the killings and the general state of insecurity across the country.
  
In a statement signed by the association’s President and General Secretary, Usman Oladipo Akanbi and Dame Joan Oji, respectively, the association called on the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure they don’t reoccur.
  
According to ANA, the recent murder of Hausa hunters in Uromi, Edo State, who were mistaken to be kidnappers, and the Ilobu/If on carnage in Osun State have escalated, once again, the alarming level of insecurity in the nation. 
  
It said: “Across the country, numerous lives have been lost to ritual killings, banditry, and premeditated murder, as a result of religious and ethnic tensions. Whilst our security forces are making observable efforts, their endeavours seem inadequate despite the relentless bloodletting witnessed across the country lately. More disturbing, however, is the growing trend of jungle justice, where aggrieved individuals and communities take the law into their own hands.
   
ANA condemned these barbaric acts, urging the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation, ensure justice is served, and implement measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. 

It also called on Nigerians to exercise restraint and cooperate with law enforcement agencies at all times.
   
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin.
   
In a statement yesterday, the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, confirmed Ibadin’s suspension and announced a ban on all unregistered vigilante groups in the state.

HOWEVER, following the Uromi killing of some Northern travellers, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, yesterday, commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response, which has calmed frailed nerves.
   
The victims were reportedly returning home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Eid Kabir with their families when they were attacked.
    
A statement issued by the Chairman of NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, on Saturday, described the killing as a vagrant disregard for the constituted order of justice administration in the state and country.
   
It called for the strict application of the rule of engagement by all vigilance groups in the country to avert the possible reoccurrence of the Uromi tragedy, saying: “We must collectively build a society where dialogue and understanding prevail over violence and ignorance.”
   
NSCIA noted that the mob injustice triggered by false accusations was fueled by crass ignorance of the perpetrators of the right to a fair hearing by the accused, no matter the situation.
  
It, therefore, called on authorities concerned to carry out immediate and thorough investigations into the tragedy, calling for swift and decisive action against those responsible.

IN the meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, yesterday, said that the state government, under Okpebholo’s leadership, has lost control of the security situation in the state. 
  
In a statement made by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP said: “The Edo State PDP is deeply alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the state, which has now culminated in the gruesome killing of innocent travellers in Uromi.
  
“The recent government classification of the perpetrators as an illegal vigilante group only further exposes the absence of a coherent security framework under the current administration and a continuation of the blame game this government has come to master.”