The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has issued a stern 14-day ultimatum to the Edo State Government, demanding justice for the recent killings of northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State. The Forum is demanding the prosecution of those responsible, as well as compensation for the victims’ families. The shocking murders of the hunters, who were returning home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the Eid Kabir festival, have sparked outrage in the northern part of Nigeria, with the NEF calling for swift action and accountability.
The brutal killings occurred in Uromi, a town in Edo State, where a group of northern hunters were ambushed and killed while traveling back to their homes. According to reports, the victims were returning from the southern region after participating in the Ramadan and Eid Kabir Sallah festival. The attack, described by the NEF as “barbaric” and “cowardly,” has deeply disturbed the northern communities and raised serious concerns about the safety of travelers across Nigeria.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NEF condemned the killings in the strongest terms. Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the spokesperson for the Forum, expressed outrage over what he described as “extra-judicial” violence against innocent Nigerians.
“The North has tolerated numerous acts of recklessness from some Southern parts of Nigeria in the past. This must come to an end,” said Professor Jiddere. “The shocking, sad, and deeply disturbing news of the barbaric, extra-judicial, and cowardly killing of innocent Northern hunters is totally unacceptable, and we condemn it in the strongest terms.”
The Northern Elders Forum has made it clear that they expect immediate and concrete actions from both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government. The demands are as follows:
1. Arrest and Prosecution: The NEF is calling for the swift arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the killings, as well as those who aided the criminals. The Forum insists that this should be a public trial, ensuring full transparency and accountability.
2. Compensation for Victims’ Families: The Forum insists that the families of the victims should be compensated in line with the prescribed standards of their faith. The compensation should reflect the gravity of the loss suffered by the victims’ families.
3. Public Apology from Edo State: The NEF demands an unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, acknowledging the gravity of the killings and assuring that steps will be taken to ensure such acts do not happen again.
4. Visible Punishment of Perpetrators: The punishment for the perpetrators must be made public to serve as a deterrent to anyone considering similar acts of violence in the future. This, according to the NEF, will help restore trust in the justice system and promote peace and security in the country.
5. Action from the Federal Government: The Forum is also calling on the Federal Government to take visible and concrete steps to ensure justice is served and to support efforts to preserve peace and stability in Nigeria.
The Northern Elders Forum has given the Edo State Government and the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to meet these demands. If the governments fail to take immediate and visible action, the NEF has warned that the northern region will take “all necessary actions” to seek justice for the victims and their families.
“We demand that the Edo State Government and the Federal Government take concrete and visible steps to fulfill these demands within fourteen (14) days from the date of the release,” the statement read. “Failure to do so will compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice for her people and the North.”
This ultimatum has escalated tensions and drawn widespread attention to the security issues affecting travelers in Nigeria, particularly those from the northern region. The NEF’s firm stance underscores the growing frustration with what they perceive as a lack of protection for their people and the need for stronger action from both state and federal authorities.
The killing of the hunters has not only shocked the northern community but has also raised concerns about the growing insecurity in Nigeria. This incident is just one example of the violent attacks that have become all too common across the country, especially in regions far from the capital.
For many northern Nigerians, the attack on the hunters is seen as an act of lawlessness that must be condemned in the strongest terms. These killings also contribute to the sense of insecurity that many Nigerians feel, especially those traveling long distances between regions.
The NEF has expressed its concern that such attacks, if left unchecked, could further fuel ethnic and regional tensions in the country. The Forum has urged both the state and federal governments to ensure that justice is served quickly and transparently to prevent further escalation of the situation.
The Northern Elders Forum has emphasized the importance of peace and unity in the country, calling on all Nigerians to work together to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their region or background. The Forum has also stressed the importance of holding accountable those responsible for acts of violence, to send a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.
“We urge the Edo State Government and the Federal Government to take all necessary actions to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such senseless killings never happen again,” the NEF said in their statement. “We also call on the people of Nigeria to remain united in their efforts to build a peaceful and secure nation for all.”
