Human rights organisation Amnesty International has condemned the killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Monday Okpebholo to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.  

The organisation made this call in a statement on Saturday, following the incident, a video of which went viral on Friday.  

“Amnesty International calls for an immediate and transparent investigation of the lynching of at least 16 travellers whose vehicle was blocked and all of them dragged one by one: beaten and then set ablaze by the vigilante and armed youth yesterday at Uromi, Edo State.  

“Those killed were hunters travelling from Rivers State to Kano to celebrate Eid with their families. They were tied to used tyres doused with petrol and then set on fire. The viral videos of the gory incident show the victims pleading with their attackers while crowds cheered the vigilante that attacked the travelers using axes, iron rods, and machetes,” the statement said.  

It added:  “President Bola Tinubu and the governor of Edo State, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, must do more to show that they disapprove of this violence. Failure to ensure justice for the victims will embolden vigilantes and mobs to kill at will. Nigeria’s escalating reign of impunity and utter disregard for the sanctity of human life must be stopped in its tracks.”  

According to Amnesty International, under international law, Nigerian authorities have an obligation to protect the rights of all individuals, including those accused of crimes, ensuring their right to life and freedom from torture and other ill-treatment. The organisation stressed that holding all those involved—directly or indirectly—accountable, including law enforcement officers, is crucial to upholding the rule of law.  

Condemning the killing, Amnesty International warned that recurring extrajudicial killings reflect a weakening rule of law and the growing trend of unlawful vigilante activities across the country.  

“Amnesty International strongly condemns this incident. The Nigerian government must take appropriate and effective measures to prevent cases of mob violence across the country and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims. The Nigerian authorities must go beyond merely condemning the incident and ensure that the suspected attackers are apprehended and brought to justice in a fair trial. The consistent failure of the Nigerian government to punish mob violence has created an environment in which violent mobs believe themselves entitled to take the law into their own hands. Violent incidents like the one that happened in Uromi indicate a weakening of the rule of law.  

“The horrific mob violence that happened at Uromi is part of the rising trend of vigilante groups in towns and villages along highways blocking roads and carrying out unlawful activities with impunity. The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfill their obligation to protect people from harm and violence,” the statement said.