By Hameed Braimah
THE Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Edo State chapter has condemned in strongest terms the brutal killing of some Northern travellers in Uromi, Edo State.
The victims, mostly Hausa hunters, were reported to be on their way to Kano ahead of the Id el-fitr festivities when members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes intercepted them.
A statement issued by the Chairman, NSCIA Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu on Saturday described the killing as vagrant disregard for constituted order of justice administration in the State and country.
NSCIA noted that the mob injustice triggered by false accusations was fueled by crass ignorance of the perpetrators of the right to 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 hands to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incident.
They appealed to Hausa community in Uromi and indeed Edo State to remain calm and peaceful and resist the temptation for retaliation and instead should seek justice through lawful means.
The statement reads, “We condemn the horrific events that happened on Thursday in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Edo State, where some innocent travellers from Northern Nigeria tragically lost their lives due to a horrifying display of mob injustice
"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.
“We recognise the pain and anger that this incident has caused within the Hausa community in Uromi and beyond. However, we urge our brothers and sisters to remain calm and peaceful while also being vigilant".
The council extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and called on the relevant authorities to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators of this mob injustice to book.
While commending the State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response which has calmed frailed nerves, NSCIA called on Nigerians to always see themselves as one by avoiding growing distrusts in the face of violent crimes and criminalities that have become pervasive in the country.
It called for the strict application of the rule of engagement by all vigilance groups in the country in order to avert possible recourence of the Uromi tragedy, stressing that we must collectively build a society where dialogue and understanding prevail over violence and ignorance.
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