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The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Edo State chapter on Saturday commended the State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response, which has calmed frailed nerves, following the brutal killing of some Northern travellers in Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Council Area of Edo State.
The victims, mostly Hausa hunters, were reported to be on their way to Kano ahead of the el-fitr festivities when some local vigilantes intercepted them.
Chairman, NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, in a statement on Saturday, described the killing as vagrant disregard for 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 recurrence of the Uromi tragedy, stressing that “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.
NSCIA called on authorities concerned to carry out immediate and thorough investigations into the tragedy, calling for swift and decisive action against those responsible.
The Islamic body advised Nigerians against taking the laws into their own hands to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incident.
They appealed to the Hausa community in Uromi and indeed Edo State to remain calm and peaceful and resist the temptation of retaliation and instead seek justice through lawful means.
“We demand that the authorities take swift and decisive action against those responsible for inciting and participating in this heinous crime. It is imperative that justice is served not only for the victims and their grieving families but also to society in order to restore faith in our justice system.”
