AYCF condemns killing of 16 travelers from Northern Nigeria in Edo

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has condemned Thursday’s incident in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Edo State, where 16 innocent travellers from Northern Nigeria tragically lost their lives in what it described as “a horrifying display of mob injustice.”;

According to the statement issued by the National President of the AYCF, Yerima Shettima: “These victims, primarily Hausa hunters, were en route from Port Harcourt to Kano to celebrate the Sallah festivities when they fell prey to a brutal and misguided attack, fuelled by false accusations and sheer ignorance.

“It is with deep sorrow that we learnt these individuals were intercepted around 1:30 pm by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes.

“The subsequent actions of an irate mob, incited by unfounded claims of kidnapping, led to a grotesque act of barbarism that is both regrettable and unacceptable. The mob’s actions resulted in the loss of 16 precious lives, with some bodies tragically trapped inside the vehicle that was set ablaze.

“Eyewitness accounts reveal the horrifying scene where some victims were removed on wheelbarrows and thrown into the flames—a chilling testament to the sickening reality of mob justice that has taken root in many Southern Nigerian communities.”

AYCF denounced the act of mob violence and called for immediate and thorough investigations into the “grotesque tragedy,” demanding that authorities take swift and decisive action against those responsible for inciting and participating in the heinous crime.

While acknowledging the pain and anger caused by the incident within the Hausa community in Uromi and beyond, AYCF urged for calm and peace. It stressed the importance of resisting the temptation of retaliation and instead, canvassed for justice through lawful means.