Esther Salifu
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of 16 hunters by a mob in Uromi, Delta State, last Thursday.
The victims were mistakenly tagged as kidnappers. Musa’s call for justice was echoed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
In a statement released by the Director Defence of Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, General Musa emphasized that the tragic incident could have been prevented if the authorities had been notified to verify the identities of the victims.
“General Christopher Musa has condemned in strong terms the unfortunate killing of hunters while on transit in Edo State
“The incident could have been avoided if the appropriate authorities were notified and involved in ascertaining the identity of the victims,” the statement read.
Musa also urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands, instead relying on security agencies for conflict resolution. He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would collaborate with the police and other security agencies to ensure justice was served. “The CDS also urged Nigerians not to take laws into their hands but always revert to constituted authorities in matters that affect security
“The Nigeria police, military, and other security agencies are well trained to handle such matters.”
Furthermore, the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the head of the state’s security corps, Friday Ibadin, a retired Commissioner of Police, pending an investigation into the incident.
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has also warned Kano youths against launching reprisal attacks on innocent non-indigenes in the state over the killings.
General Musa warned vigilante groups, hunters, and others to register with relevant agencies to regulate the possession of firearms. “He warned that all local hunters and vigilante groups should register with the police, DSS, AFN and any other agencies mandated by law to regulate the possession of fire arms, while calling on vigilante groups to always revert to police for appropriate action.”
