Mobolaji Michael
AMNESTY International has called for an immediate and transparent investigation of the lynching of at least 16 travellers whose vehicle was blocked and all of them dragged one by one: beaten and then set ablaze by the vigilante and armed youth yesterday at Uromi Edo State.
Those killed were hunters travelling from Rivers State to Kano to celebrate Eid with their families. They were reportedly tied to disused tyres, doused with petrol and then set on fire.
The viral videos of the gory incident show the victims pleading with their attackers while crowds cheered the vigilante that attacked the travellers using axes, iron rods and machetes.
Amnesty International insists that the Nigerian authorities must go beyond merely condemning the incident and ensure that the suspected attackers are apprehended and brought to justice in a fair trial.
“The consistent failure of the Nigerian government to punish mob violence has created an environment in which violent mobs believe themselves entitled to take the law into their own hands.
“The horrific mob violence that happened at Uromi is part of the rising trend of vigilante groups of towns and villages along highways blocking roads and carrying out unlawful activities with impunity.
“The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns this incident. The Nigerian government must take appropriate and effective measures to prevent cases of mob violence across the country and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims. The police must be adequately equipped to respond to mob violence”, the group stated.
Eighteen-Eleven Media