Global Rights, a human rights advocacy organization, has strongly condemned the brutal lynching of sixteen hunters in Uromi, Edo State, on March 27, 2025. The tragic incident occurred when local vigilantes, acting on a mistaken assumption, attacked and killed the hunters, wrongly identifying them as kidnappers. The group described the killings as a blatant act of extrajudicial execution that underscores a growing culture of lawlessness in the country.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, Global Rights decried the killings as “senseless and heinous,” emphasizing that they constitute a grave violation of Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and explicitly prohibits unlawful killings. The organization further condemned the ethnic profiling that often fuels such violence, warning that these acts, if unchecked, could tear apart the fragile fabric of national unity.
Citing Section 43 of the Constitution, which grants all Nigerians the right to reside in any part of the country, Global Rights expressed deep concern over the rise of vigilante justice. While acknowledging the legitimate frustrations of communities grappling with insecurity, the organization insisted that taking the law into one’s own hands is not the solution. “Nothing justifies this act of jungle justice,” the statement read, cautioning that such actions, if left unpunished, could embolden further acts of lawlessness and fuel ethnic and religious hostilities.
Global Rights has therefore called on the Nigerian government to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the killings. It insists that all those involved—both the perpetrators and those who may have encouraged or enabled them—must be held accountable under the law.
The organization also extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and urged political, religious, and traditional leaders to take a firm stand against violence. “This tragedy must not be used to incite further bloodshed,” Baiyewu warned, stressing the need for dialogue, peace, and justice.
In its closing remarks, Global Rights reiterated its demand for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s security and justice systems, emphasizing that the government must take decisive steps to protect citizens from both crime and extrajudicial killings. The group cautioned that the continued rise in unlawful killings is a direct consequence of state failure to uphold security and the rule of law. As Nigerians mourn yet another tragic loss, the pressing question remains: how many more innocent lives must be lost before justice is served and lasting solutions implemented?