Edo Killing: Christian Leaders Call For Peaceful Solutions To Conflicts
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Christian scholars from across northern Nigeria have strongly condemned the brutal killing of 16 travellers in Edo State. These scholars, including Pastor Dr Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna, and others from the 19 northern states, have expressed their outrage over this senseless act of mob violence.
The victims, primarily Hausa hunters, were travelling to Kano for the Sallah celebrations when they were intercepted by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes in Uromi, Edo State.
They were falsely accused of being criminals and subsequently lynched.
Both online and offline reports indicate that the travellers’ tragic deaths have sparked widespread outrage.
Pastor Dr Yohanna Buru, speaking on behalf of many Christian scholars, condemned the killings and called for a full and impartial investigation.
“The loss of these innocent lives has shocked the nation, and the incident has dominated social media, with many expressing their horror and disbelief,” he said.
“He prayed for their departed souls that God may grant them Aljannah”
As a representative of the Human Rights Agency under the United Nations in Nigeria, Pastor Dr Buru stressed the importance of justice and peace.
He urged youth groups from all ethnic and regional backgrounds to reject mob justice and violence, emphasising the need for peaceful solutions to conflicts resolutions
“The mob attack was a tragic example of unjust violence fueled by false accusations and ignorance,” he remarked. “We must hold those responsible accountable to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again in the future”
He also called on the Hausa community to stay calm and peaceful, advising them not to seek revenge but to instead toe the path of justice through legal means.
The incident took place in Udune Efandion, Uromi, where the victims were lynched on the false accusation of criminal activity. Despite their innocence, they were brutally attacked by the local security forces and vigilantes as they were on their way to celebrate the Islamic holiday of Sallah.
“I strongly condemn this act of mob justice and call on security agencies to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act and bring them to justice,” Pastor Dr Buru said.
He also reminded the nation of the principle of shared humanity, saying, “We are all one family under God. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve, bound by common values, beliefs, and our shared hope in the afterlife. This commonality should drive us to eliminate all forms of injustice that disrupt peace and stability.”
Similarly Pastor George John, a fellow Christian leader, also condemned the mob action and urged Nigerians to support one another, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
He called on both Muslim and Christian communities to promote unity and peaceful coexistence, especially during this holy time of Ramadan and Lent.
Pastor George further urged Muslim and Christian scholars to dedicate the remaining days of Ramadan and Lent to praying for peace and unity in Nigeria, so that the country may heal from such violence.
“We are one nation, and we must stand united in building a better, more peaceful Nigeria,” he concluded.
