Edo killings: MURIC charges FG to punish culprits, compensate victims’ families
By Jeleel Olawale
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the killing of 16 Northerners in Uromi, Edo State, describing the act as barbaric, heinous, horrendous, and reprehensible. The group has labelled the killings as ethnic purging and has called for the punishment of the perpetrators, as well as compensation for the victims’ families.
This statement was issued on Wednesday by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads in part: “On the evening of Thursday, 27th March 2025, 16 Northerners travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Eid-el-Fitr holiday were brutally killed by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes at Uromi, Edo State.
“A viral video showed the victims being surrounded by youths, drenched in petrol, and set on fire. MURIC condemns this killing in the strongest terms. It is barbaric, heinous, horrendous, and reprehensible. This is a crime against humanity. We urge the authorities to apprehend those responsible as swiftly as possible and ensure they face appropriate punishment.
“We assert firmly, unequivocally, and without reservation that it is only when such crimes are met with appropriate punishment that they can act as a deterrent. Nigerians of all backgrounds should be able to move freely across the country without fear of harm or molestation. Article 14, Section 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’ Therefore, we call on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to ensure the protection of all citizens’ lives.”
Akintola further supported this argument by referencing Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the inalienable right to life, liberty, and personal security. He noted that the ability of a government to ensure the security of its citizens and protect their freedom of movement is a crucial indicator of the effectiveness of its leadership.
He attributed the Uromi killings to the rise in anti-North rhetoric and anti-Muslim hate speech that have been prevalent in the Nigerian political landscape, particularly before, during, and after the 2023 general elections.
Akintola urged the Federal Government to revisit previous attempts to criminalise hate speech, urging Nigerian lawmakers to intensify efforts to draft bills in this regard.
“Qur’an 5:32 stresses the sanctity of life. Personal safety is the foremost Allah-given fundamental human right, and violating this right is considered a major sin,” he added.
“MURIC demands that the families of the 16 victims be compensated in a manner befitting the status of each individual. These payments should be sourced directly from the perpetrators and their respective state government or governments. Only in this way can the families of the victims be properly compensated.”
The group also commended the leadership of Nigerian Muslims and Northern political figures for demonstrating restraint in both speech and action in the face of this provocative and brutal attack. MURIC appealed to Muslims across the country to follow this example and remain calm and law-abiding.
