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Edo hunters killings: ONG President, Muhammad Saleh Hassan, advocates peace, unity

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…cautions Northern youths against reprisal

The National President of One Nigeria Group (ONG), a Non-governmental Organisation, Alhaji Muhammad Saleh Hassan, has called for peace and unity in the country in the wake of the recent gruesome killing of Northern hunters in Edo State.

Recall that some hunters numbering 27 were travelling from Edo State to Kano for Sallah celebration, but were waylaid by some members of vigilante group who orchestrated a mob attack against them, leading to the killing of 18 of them.

The dastardly act has been greeted with eyebrows and condemnation by governments, organisations, concerned individuals as well as the Edo State Government, particularly the state governor, Monday Okpebholo

Speculations are rife that Northern youths in their various factions and groups are warming up for reprisals, with claims that their Northern people in Edo State had been subjected to victimization in another state.

But in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Kaduna during his engagements with Northern youths and the media, Hassan called on the aggrieved youths as well as the entire people of the North to remain calm, tamper justice with mercy and tread the path of peace and should not embark on reprisal.

He stressed that though painful, reprisal was not necessary in the circumstance as it could not guarantee compensation.

Hassan emphasized that the killing was a criminal act, reprisal is also a criminal act. He described both acts as wrongs, both of which, he noted, could not make a right.

“It’s crystal-clear that the recent killing of 18 Northern hunters in Edo State last week while they were travelling to Kano for Sallah celebration is a criminal and dastardly act. No good citizen of this country that loves peace and unity would expect such an act from anybody.
It’s very wrong. The vigilante people who orchestrated the attack threw caution into the wind. This is unacceptable and condemnable,” Hassan stressed.

“However, I appeal to our Northern brothers, especially the youths, to jettison reprisal because that can not guarantee compensation. It’s not the best way to go. Just like the killing is lawless, reprisal is also lawless. Our country, Nigeria is not a lawless country. So, let’s not allow any further act that would portray us as a lawless country. That can not help us.

“Though very painful, we can not afford to sacrifice the peace and unity we have been labouring for on the altar of aggression and vengeance. So, let not our youths pay back with reprisal and aggression. I crave their indulgence to respect and imbibe the sanctity of peace. Nigeria is a peace-loving country.
ONG is a peace-loving organisation. Let’s continue to tread the path of peace in every circumstance.

“Every act of lawlessness and criminality is anti-progress. Since we all yearn for development, growth, progress and prosperity, all we need to emphasize and imbibe is the virtue of peace and unity which guarantees them.

“I urge our Northern youths to continue to imbibe that culture, the culture of peace, unity, progress and prosperity. That is how we can grow and live together. Fight can not earn us these values, but peace. So, there should be no reprisal over the Edo killings.

Hassan also noted that Governor Okpebholo is a peace-loving governor who has totally condemned the killings in clear terms and put a strong machinery in place to investigate the crime and ensure justice in the matter.

“Since he came on board as the governor, he has been ensuring prevalence of peace. Of course, the tempo of insecurity dropped to the barest minimum since he assumed office and he has continued to work hard in this regard and we all hope that Edo State shall break record as a state of peace with Okpebholo as the governor.

“Edo State is a very safe community where non-indigenes, including Northerners, can easily spread their wings and fly safely. They have been living in different parts of the state in peace. I as a Northerner have slept in the house of Governor Okpebholo in his Iruah town and enjoyed safety. So, there is no threat of insecurity in Edo State.

“Governor Okpebholo grew up in the North. He is a friend of the North. He grew up with us. He is our friend and loves the North. Against this background, it is obvious that he will ensure a thorough investigation in this matter and ensure that the criminals are identified and brought to book.

“Although, there are detractors behind the curtains who might be making false allegations, but since investigations are ongoing, we can’t say much for now but the truth will surely be revealed through the governor’s genuine intentions and credibility.

Hassan, however, enjoined the governor to put all hands on deck and ensure proper investigation of the criminal act, bring the perpetrators to book, guarantee prevalence of justice.

The ONG boss, who noted that governments still had a long way to go in the fight against insecurity in the country, despite all its efforts over the years, called on them to increase the tempo in the battle to avoid further recurrence of the killing in the state and every part of the country.

“Surely there shall be justice for the Uromi16. The Edo State Government has taken giants steps in guaranteeing this virtue. That is why our Northern youths must drop reprisal as an option because government knows the right thing to do and is already doing it.”

“Our Norther should not embark on self help as such can lead to escalation of tension across the country.

“The law enforcement agencies must be allowed to do their job.

“At ONG, we believe strongly that our Northern youths have listening ears. We also believe they are peace lovers and would allow it to reign in this situation. We salute their courage and understanding so far. Together we shall enjoy the peace and unity we are all labouring for and preaching. We are stronger together,” Hassan said.

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Written by Ed Itodo

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