Northern Elders Demand Bodies of 16 Burnt in Edo, Gives FG, Okpebholo 14 Days Ultimatum to Prosecute Killers
The Northern Elders Forum, on friday, in a statement by the Spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jika Jiddere, gave 14 days ultimatum to Edo Governor, Monday Okoebholo and the state’s residents to provide the bodies of the 16 travellers that were burnt in Uromi.
In the statement,Jiddere stated that those men were returning home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Eid Kabir Sallah festival with their families. He strongly condemned the act and said it is unacceptable.
“The North has tolerated numerous such animalistic and cannibalistic acts of recklessness from some Southern part of Nigeria in the past. This must come to an end. The North will take stringent action in response to this inhumane attack on its peace-loving people.
“Consequently, the NEF hereby demands the following immediate actions from the authorities in Edo State and the Federal Government:
“The swift recovery of the bodies of the victims and their dignified transfer to their families for an honorable and befitting burial in accordance with their respective faiths.
“The arrest and trial of all individuals responsible for the attack and the brutal killings of the innocent travellers. The NEF demands a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those that 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.
“An unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, with a commitment to ensuring that such barbaric behavior never occurs again,” the statement read.
The statement further stated that Edo State Government and the Federal Government are mandated to take concrete and visible steps to fulfill the aforementioned demands within 14 days (2weeks) from the date of this release. Adding that failure to do so would compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice for her people.
“The Federal Government must ensure that justice is served to the victims and their families to preserve peace, stability, and the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians,” he said.
