The brutal killing of 16 northern travellers in Uromi, Edo State, is a grave injustice that must be met with accountability, not vengeance.
Development Diaries reports that a viral video on social media has sparked concerns as a young Nigerian from the North is seen advocating for a retaliatory attack.
The arrest and transfer of 14 suspects to Abuja for further interrogation is a step in the right direction, but it must not be the end. The perpetrators must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in any part of the country.
The threat of retaliatory attacks against southerners in the north is deeply troubling and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Nigeria cannot afford to descend into cycles of ethnic or religious violence.
History has shown that retaliation only leads to further bloodshed, instability, and suffering for innocent citizens. Instead of fueling division, community leaders, religious heads, and security agencies must work together to calm tensions and promote peace.
Also, beyond administering justice to the perpetrators of the Uromi killings, President Bola Tinubu must call his security chiefs to order and ensure that immediate measures are taken to curb the spreading kidnapping and attacks by ‘killer herdsmen’ and bandits across the country.
According to the Global Peace Index, Nigeria ranks among the most impacted countries by terrorism and communal violence, with thousands of lives lost annually.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that over 60,000 people have been killed due to violent conflicts in the past decade. Retaliation only adds to this grim toll and further destabilises the economy, discourages investments, and weakens national cohesion.
Security agencies must act decisively to prevent further attacks and reassure Nigerians that the state will protect them.
Development Diaries calls on the Bola Tinubu administration to invest in intelligence gathering, and proactive security measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
