*Uromi Killings: Families Demand Justice, Survivors Recall Horrific Attack *Amnesty International, Rights Groups, and Activists Condemn At...
*Uromi Killings: Families Demand Justice, Survivors Recall Horrific Attack
*Amnesty International, Rights Groups, and Activists Condemn Attacks, Call for End to Crackdown
By Zainab Rauf, Abuja
The brutal lynching of 16 northern hunters and a driver in Uromi, Edo State, has sparked national outrage, as grieving families and rights groups demand justice.
The victims, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebration, were intercepted by a local vigilante group, accused of being kidnappers, and executed in cold blood. Survivors narrate harrowing details, including how some victims were set ablaze. “My Brother Watched His Men Burn” – Muhammadu Sunusi Torankawa, brother of a survivor, recalled a distressing phone call. “He told me he had been struck with a machete but miraculously survived due to his protective charms.
He watched helplessly as his men were dragged one by one and burned alive.” Families insist their loved ones were law-abiding hunters. A grieving mother, Sadiya Sa'adu, who lost her son, brother, and nephew, lamented, “They were not thieves; they were trying to provide for their families. Their deaths must not be in vain.”
The incident has led to the suspension of unauthorized vigilante groups in Edo State and the dismissal of the commander of the Edo State Security Corps. Authorities have arrested 14 suspects, but families and rights organizations, including Amnesty International, continue to demand full justice and accountability.
Abuja Massacre: Army Opens Fire on Quds Day Protesters
In another grim episode of violence, the Nigerian Army's Guard Brigade opened fire on unarmed demonstrators marking International Quds Day in Abuja, killing over 20 people and injuring dozens more.
The peaceful march, organised by the Islamic movement in Nigeria, was part of a global solidarity protest in support of Palestine. Eyewitnesses describe a chaotic scene at Bannex Plaza, where soldiers used live ammunition against demonstrators, many of whom carried placards reading "We Are All Palestine" and "Stop the Genocide in Gaza."
Over 200 people were unlawfully arrested, and those injured in the attack have been denied medical attention. The crackdown has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Amnesty International has denounced the use of excessive force, calling the incident a violation of fundamental rights. "Shooting peaceful demonstrators with live rounds is a blatant act of state repression," said a spokesperson for the organisation. Calls for an independent investigation and the immediate release of detained protesters have intensified.
A Nation at a Crossroads: Mounting Pressure for Justice
The Edo killings and the Abuja massacre highlight deepening insecurity and human rights concerns in Nigeria. Civil society organizations warn that unchecked violence by vigilante groups and security forces will only fuel further unrest.
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called for national unity, emphasizing that "No Nigerian should be targeted based on ethnicity or religious beliefs. Every Nigerian should feel safe anywhere in the country."
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration faces growing scrutiny. While Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar recently condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, domestic security forces have violently suppressed pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Observers warn that the government's response to these tragedies will be a critical test of its commitment to justice, human rights, and national unity. As families mourn their losses, the world watches to see whether Nigeria will take decisive action against those responsible for these senseless killings—or allow impunity to reign once again.
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