The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the brutal killing of 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, called for swift and thorough justice against the perpetrators.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the lawmakers described the incident as a grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.
The House acknowledged the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, instructing security agencies to conduct an urgent investigation. It urged law enforcement agencies to ensure all those involved in the attack are promptly identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, strongly condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, cowardly, and unacceptable.” He emphasized that such acts have no place in a society that upholds the sanctity of life.
“It is deeply disturbing that in our nation, fellow citizens can be subjected to such heinous violence, especially when our faith traditions teach us to honor the sanctity of every human life,” Speaker Abbas stated.
The House commended security agencies for their swift intervention, which led to the rescue of survivors and the arrest of some suspects. However, lawmakers insisted that justice must be thorough and serve as a deterrent to future occurrences.
Beyond seeking justice, the House called for a national conversation on mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and ethnic profiling, which threaten the country’s unity and social cohesion. It urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and proactive measures to prevent mob justice.
The House further appealed to community leaders, religious institutions, and traditional rulers to promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law. Civil society and the media were also encouraged to educate Nigerians on civic responsibility and the dangers of mob violence.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law, the 10th Assembly vowed to advance legislative measures that will address the menace of extrajudicial killings and ethnic violence.
The House therefore extended its condolences to the families of the victims and assured Nigerians that no act of lawlessness would go unpunished.
