Amnesty International has condemned the murder of some Northern travellers in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.

The victims travelling through Edo were attacked and rounded up on the allegations that they were kidnappers.

Despite their pleas, they were burnt alive, a development that has triggered outrage.

Responding, Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria, said: ?The Nigerian authorities must immediately and transparently institute an investigation of lynching of at over16 travelers 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 tyre doused with petrol and then set on fire. The viral videos of the gory incident show the victims drenched in blood, pleading with their attackers while crowds cheered the vigilante that attacked with using axe, stones, dagger, iron rod and machete.

?The horrific mob violence that happened at Uromi is part of the rising trend of vigilante groups of 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 fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence.

?Under international law, Nigerian authorities have an obligation to protect the rights of those accused of crimes, including the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.

?The Nigerian authorities must go beyond merely condemning the incident and ensure that the suspected attackers are identified and promptly brought to justice in 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.

?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 police must be adequately equipped to respond to mob violence.? (Weekend Trust)

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