From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD) has charged President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies to fish out and prosecute the killers of 16 hunters in Edo State.
Its Executive Director, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, in a statement yesterday, said the innocent citizens were stopped by vigilantes and immediately set ablaze along with the Dangote truck they were travelling in.
He said: “PAPSD condemns this man’s inhumanity to man. It is heartless, ungodly, barbaric, and savagery.
“Our hearts bled as we saw fellow compatriots burnt alive by the vigilantes in the video circulated on social media for merely travelling home to celebrate Sallah with their families.
“Jungle justice has no place in all civilised societies. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. The country is governed by the rule of law. Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees citizens’ right to freedom of movement.
“The Constitution also provides the right to fair hearing in a court of competent jurisdiction if an offence is allegedly committed. There is no place for mob action, let alone setting fellow citizens ablaze and watching them die. Whither our common humanity? We must redefine our values as a people.
“Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“We urge security agencies to ensure the protection of citizens anywhere they are, particularly at festive periods that require travelling.
“We also urge the Inspector General of Police and relevant security agents to apprehend the perpetrators of this evil to face the full weight of the law. This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the country.
“We urge the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly across the 36 states to enact laws that will curb mob killings in Nigeria.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the departed souls. May Almighty God console, comfort, and strengthen them in this period of grief. We also extend our condolences to the government and people of Kano State for the brutal murder of these compatriots.”