By Joy Baba-Yesufu
Global Rights Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Orgaisation (NGO)has strongly condemned the heinous killing and lynching of sixteen hunters in Uromi, Edo State, for a who were allegedly mistaken for kidnappers by local vigilantes who, instead of upholding the law, took justice into their own hands, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
A statement signed by the Executive Director of the organization, Ms. Abiodun Baiyewu said this gruesome act highlights the alarming disregard for human life in Nigeria noticing that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) unequivocally protects the right to life, stating in Section 33(1) that no person shall be deprived of life except by due process. “The extrajudicial killing of these hunters is a blatant violation of this right and an affront to the rule of law”.
She said furthermore, Section 43 of the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to own property and reside in any part of the country. Targeting individuals based on suspicion of their ethnicity and livelihood undermines this right and fuels social divisions.
“While we acknowledge citizens’ growing frustration over insecurity, vigilante justice is never justified. This barbaric act risks escalating ethnic and religious tensions.
“We call on the Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies to launch a full-scale investigation, ensuring all perpetrators both direct and complicit face the full force of the law.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and urge leaders to promote peace and unity. The government must act decisively to restore public trust in security and justice systems”, Baiyewu said.
