International human rights group, Amnesty International, has strongly condemned the brutal lynching of over 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, in southern Nigeria, and is calling on Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident.
The victims, reportedly hunters travelling for the Eid al-Fitr festival, were intercepted by a mob in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In a statement signed by the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, the organisation stated that the attack on the hunters highlighted “the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence”.
“Viral videos of the horrific attack show the victims covered in blood, pleading for their lives while a cheering crowd watched as they were assaulted with axes, stones, daggers, iron rods, and machetes,” Mr. Sanusi said.
He added that their vehicle was reportedly blocked by a local vigilante group and an armed mob, who dragged them out one by one, beat them, and set them ablaze. Amnesty International is demanding that Nigerian authorities immediately and transparently investigate the lynching of at least 16 travellers, whose vehicle was stopped before they were brutally attacked and burned alive by vigilantes and armed youths in Uromi, Edo State.
Mr. Sanusi also raised concerns over the growing trend of mob violence and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria, particularly the impunity with which vigilante groups operate along highways. He noted that the government’s failure to investigate such cases further emboldened the perpetrators.
“The horrific mob violence that occurred in Uromi is part of a rising trend where vigilante groups unlawfully block roads and carry out brutal attacks,” he said. “The persistent failure of the Nigerian government to investigate and prosecute such cases has emboldened these violent mobs to take the law into their own hands.”
The rights group emphasised that under international law, Nigeria is obligated to protect the rights of all individuals, including those accused of crimes, urging the government to move beyond merely condemning the act and take concrete steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Under international law, the Nigerian authorities have an obligation to protect the rights of those accused of crimes, including the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment,” Mr. Sanusi stated.
He added that the Nigerian authorities must go beyond simply condemning the incident and ensure that the suspected attackers are identified and promptly 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 Nigerian authorities must ensure that those responsible for this attack are identified and swiftly prosecuted in a fair trial. Failure to act will only perpetuate the culture of impunity and encourage further acts of mob violence,” Mr. Sanusi concluded.
Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian government to implement effective measures to curb mob violence and provide justice for victims. It also urged law enforcement agencies to be better equipped to respond to such incidents and prevent future occurrences.
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