The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly denounced the recent killing of northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, emphasizing that such acts of violence will no longer be tolerated.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere described the incident as “deeply shocking, tragic, and distressing.”
“The NEF is horrified by the senseless and unjustified killing of innocent Northern hunters who were traveling home to celebrate Ramadan and Eid Kabir with their families in Uromi, Edo State. This barbaric act is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it,” Jiddere stated.
He highlighted that the North has suffered repeated violent attacks in the past and insisted that such incidents must be stopped.
The NEF demanded immediate action from the authorities, calling for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack to ensure justice is served.
The forum also insisted on a transparent legal process to hold both the perpetrators and any accomplices accountable, reinforcing the need for justice.
Additionally, NEF called for appropriate compensation for the victims’ families in accordance with their religious and cultural customs.
The organization further urged the Edo State Government to issue a formal apology and provide assurances that such incidents will not happen again.
“The Edo State Government must publicly apologize to the North for this tragic event. The perpetrators must be prosecuted transparently to prevent future occurrences of such violence,” the statement added.
The NEF set a 14-day deadline for both the Edo State and Federal Governments to meet these demands, warning that failure to comply would compel the North to take necessary measures to seek justice.
The forum also called on the Nigerian government to ensure justice for the victims and their families, stressing that this is essential for maintaining peace, stability, and national unity.
