Northern Elders React to Edo Mob Killing, Issue Three-Point Ultimatum

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has made three primary demands from the Edo State and federal governments following the gruesome Edo mob killing of northern travellers in Uromi, Edo.

The forum has issued a stern warning that the region will no longer tolerate such impulsiveness from the southerners.

Professor Abubakar Jiddere, the spokesperson for NEF, revealed this in a statement during the weekend.

It was gathered that the victims of the Edo mob killing were on their way to Kano from Port Harcourt for the Sallah celebration before meeting their unexpected end.

Following this, President Tinubu initially condemned the wicked act, ordering security agencies to fish out the perpetrators for the recent mob killing in Edo State.

Meanwhile, Northern governors also issued a statement, denouncing the Edo mob killing, describing it as extrajudicial and further stressing that such actions will not be tolerated.

The forum requested that the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the Edo mob killing of 16 northern travellers in Uromi must be carried out openly to ensure transparency and accountability.

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The Northern Elders Forum further demanded a complete public apology from Uromi people and the Edo State authorities, with subsequent commitment to ensuring that such a barbaric incident does not repeat itself.

Lastly, the forum emphasised that the families of the victims of the Edo mob killing be duly compensated in line with approved standards.

Additionally,  NEF has given the Edo State and Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to meet these demands or face the consequences.

According to the statement: “The North has tolerated numerous acts of recklessness from some parts of Southern Nigeria in the past. This must come to an end,”

“The arrest and trial of all individuals responsible for the attack and the brutal killings of innocent travellers. The NEF demands a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those who aided the crime to ensure full transparency and accountability.

“The due payment of compensation to the families of the victims, in line with the prescribed standards of their respective faiths.

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“An unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, with a commitment to ensuring that such barbaric behaviour never occurs again. An unreserved apology from the Edo State Government to the North for this heinous attack on its people. The punishment of the perpetrators must be witnessed by the public to serve as a deterrent to any future acts of violence.

“The NEF also demands that the Edo State Government and the Federal Government take concrete and visible steps to fulfil these demands within fourteen (14) days from the date of this statement.”