Uromi murders: Dangers of jungle justice and need for equal media coverage of all atrocities in Nigeria, by Daniel Okonkwo

The victims were overwhelmed, tied to used tires, rubbed in gasoline and set on fire. A video of the incident that was widely distributed trapped the disturbing moment when these individuals were surrounded and brutally murdered. No one has the right to take another person’s life. The brutal murder of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, is an alarming case of jungle justice that underlines the increasing need to fight the practice of external murders in Nigeria. This tragedy not only exposes in -depth issues regarding crowds, but also emphasizes the failure to maintain the fundamental right to life. This right forms the cornerstone of all other human rights. Uromi, located in the northeastern part of Esan in the Edo State, Nigeria, was plugged into the national spotlight. A group of travelers on their way to Canoe for the Sallah celebrations have been brutally thrown by a crowd after being wrongly accused of kidnapping. According to eyewitness reports, the victims, identified as hunters, were stopped by local vigilance for a routine search. During the inspection, the vigilance found Dane – traditional firearms that are used regularly for hunting. However, this discovery fueled the suspicion, which caused panic to bystanders. As the tension increased, a crowd formed quickly and concluded that the travelers were kidnappers. What followed was a horrific performance of jungle justice. The victims were overwhelmed, tied to used tires, rubbed in gasoline and set on fire. A video of the incident that was widely distributed trapped the disturbing moment when these individuals were surrounded and brutally murdered. For those who survived, the trauma remains raw. According to one of the lucky survivors, Dayyabu Yahya described the horrific incident: “Our journey was quiet from Port Harcourt until we reached Uromi where the trouble began. -guils that hunters use. There were about 27 passengers in the vehicle. They later stood back and allowed the residents to continue the assault while watching. When we realized that we would probably be killed, some of us ran for our lives – I was one of them. As I fled, I encountered Hausa people kind-hearted people, giving me money to reach the Hausa community leader here. “The authorities strongly condemned the act, describing it as a tragic matter of jungle justice. Governor on Monday visited Okpebholo Abuja and Canoe to express his condolences to the families of the victims, and they reassured them that justice would be served. Killed. in Benue -State, Ondo and Nasarawa have left deadly attacks, with whole communities. resentment and division. While the citizens have become increasingly frustrated about the inefficiency of law enforcement, it is not the answer to use the jungle justice. The implications of such action are serious: Human rights violation: The right to life is the most fundamental of all human rights. No one should be deprived of it without the necessary process. When people take the law into their own hands, society descends in chaos. Many Mob Justice victims are later innocent. In this case, 16 innocent hunters were misused and brutally murdered. If you allow such murders to become unnoticed, you must act as a judge, jury and executor. In order to end an end to jungle justice and the cycle of violence in Nigeria, urgent measures must be taken. Communities must be trained on the dangers of crowd justice and the importance of the right process. Police and security agencies need to be more proactive and effective in dealing with criminal cases. While vigilance groups play a role in community safety, they must be monitored and held accountable for abuse. Every attack – whether in the north, south, east or west – needs to receive equal attention in the media. No Nigerian life is worth less than another. The brutal murder of 16 innocent travelers in Uromi is an ominous reminder of the dangers of jungle justice. As a proponent of human rights, I strongly condemn this act. It is inhumane to perform individuals without a proper investigation. Even suspected criminals must be handed over to the police for the proper process. But we also have to ask ourselves: How did we get here? Are we one more in Nigeria, or has something changed? If we as a nation have to go forward, we must ensure that justice serves for all victims of violence – not just some. The government must take decisive steps to end the jungle justice once and for all, and the media must maintain fairness in their reporting. The right to life is non -negotiable, and we must all fight to protect it. Justice must be served. The offenders must be held accountable. Above all, Nigeria must demonstrate that it is a nation that appreciates all its citizens.