The elders of the North have convened to deliberate on how to amicably resolve the issue of 16 northerners who were victims of the Uromi extrajudicial killings.
In a swift report, the elders have outlined five demands from Okpebholo, giving him a 14-day ultimatum to act promptly in the recovery of the bodies of the 16 lynched northern travelers.
The demands include:
* The swift recovery of the bodies of the victims and their dignified transfer to their families for an honorable and befitting burial in accordance with their respective faiths.
* The arrest and public prosecution of all individuals responsible for the deaths of the travelers to ensure transparency and accountability in the course of serving justice.
* The due payment of compensation to the families of the victims, in line with the prescribed standards of their respective faiths.
* An unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, with a commitment to ensuring that such barbaric behaviour never occurs again.
* An unreserved apology from the Edo State Government to the North for this heinous attack on its people. The punishment of the perpetrators must be witnessed by the public to serve as a deterrent to any such future acts of violence.”
In the wake of ongoing development, the Edo State government has suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Retired CP Friday Ibadin.
Further investigation into the matter as revealed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhikor noted that group involved in the tragic incident was not registered with the State Security Corps.
The northern elders have also warned that the body will not tolerate the “animalistic and cannibalistic acts” meted out on its people forthwith.
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