The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has condemned the killing of 16 travelling hunters in Edo State, calling for thorough investigations and justice for the victims.
PUNCH Online reports that the incident, which occurred on March 27, when the hunters, who were travelling from Rivers State to Kano for Sallah, were intercepted by a vigilante group in the Uromi area.
The vigilantes allegedly mistook them for kidnappers after finding dane guns in their truck, leading to a mob attack.
However, the National Secretary of PFN, Bishop David Bakare, while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, described the act as “barbaric and ungodly,” emphasising that even if the victims were mistaken for kidnappers, it was unacceptable to take the law into one’s hands.
Bakare appealed for calm, urging against reprisal attacks and emphasizing that “two wrongs cannot make a right.”
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged the authorities to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
Bakare said, “We strongly condemn this barbaric and ungodly act of killing travellers under any circumstances.
“Even if they were kidnappers; that does not warrant taking the law into our hands; the right thing was to hand them over to law enforcement agents for proper investigation and legal action.
“We urge that thorough investigation must be carried out on this matter to ensure that the culprits are brought to book, no matter who they may be.
“We appeal against reprisal act because two wrongs won’t make a right. Our prayers are with the families of the victims.”
The PFN’s scribe stressed that Nigeria needs peace at this time, calling for thorough investigations to ensure that justice is served.
“Nigeria needs all the peace at this time,” he added.