UROMI KILLINGS: A GRAVE INJUSTICE, THE DANGERS OF JUNGLE JUSTICE, AND THE NEED FOR EQUAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF ALL ATROCITIES IN NIGERIA
By Daniel Okonkwo
No one has the right to take another person's life. The brutal killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, is an alarming case of jungle justice that underlines the increasing need to fight the practice of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria. This tragedy not only exposes deep-seated issues of mob violence but also highlights the failure to uphold the fundamental right to life—a right that forms the cornerstone of all other human rights.
Uromi, located in the northeastern part of Esan in Edo State, Nigeria, has been thrust into the national spotlight. A group of travelers on their way to Kano for the Sallah celebrations was brutally lynched by a mob after being wrongly accused of kidnapping.
According to eyewitness reports, the victims, identified as hunters, were stopped by local vigilantes for a routine search. During the inspection, the vigilantes found Dane guns—traditional firearms commonly used for hunting. However, this discovery fueled suspicion, sparking panic among bystanders.
As tensions escalated, a mob quickly formed, jumping to the conclusion that the travelers were kidnappers. What followed was a horrifying display of jungle justice. The victims were overpowered, tied to used tires, doused in petrol, and set ablaze. A widely circulated video of the incident captured the harrowing moment when these individuals were surrounded and brutally murdered.
For those who survived, the trauma remains raw. According to one of the fortunate survivors, Dayyabu Yahya described the horrific incident:
> “Our journey was peaceful from Port Harcourt until we reached Uromi, where the trouble began. Vigilantes stopped us. I was seated in the front seat. They ordered our driver to step out of the vehicle, but he refused. In response, they flogged him. They also ordered the other passengers to get down, beating us before grouping us.
> “They inspected our belongings but found nothing suspicious—only some licensed Dane guns, which hunters use. There were about 27 passengers in the vehicle. I can’t say how many of us are missing, but I know that two passengers were hospitalized.”
Another survivor, Mustafa Ali Kassim, recalled his terrifying escape:
> “The vigilantes started beating us as we stepped out of the vehicle. They later stood back and allowed the locals to continue the assault while they watched. Realizing that we would likely be killed, some of us ran for our lives—I was one of them. While fleeing, I encountered kind-hearted Hausa people, who gave me some money to reach the Hausa community leader here.”
Authorities have strongly condemned the act, describing it as a tragic case of jungle justice. The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killings. Meanwhile, security agencies, including the police and military, have been deployed to Uromi to prevent possible reprisal attacks, as tensions continue to rise.
President Bola Tinubu has also denounced the killings, calling for swift justice. Additionally, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has visited Abuja and Kano to express his condolences to the victims' families, reassuring them that justice will be served.
While the Uromi killings are horrific, they reflect a deeper problem: the long-standing tensions between different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Over the years, numerous reports have surfaced about attacks attributed to suspected herdsmen, leading to widespread anger and mistrust.
For instance, on February 2, 2025, suspected herdsmen attacked the Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing 15 people and destroying properties worth millions of naira. Similarly, in Enugu State, two soldiers and three civilians were killed by suspected herdsmen.
In Benue State, Ondo, and Nasarawa, deadly attacks have left scores of people dead, with entire communities devastated. These violent incidents rarely receive the same level of media attention as the Uromi killings, fueling the perception that certain lives are valued more than others in Nigeria.
If we are truly one Nigeria, then media coverage and public outrage must be equally distributed. Selective justice only breeds more resentment and division.
The Uromi killings highlight a dangerous and deeply rooted problem in Nigeria: the prevalence of mob violence and extrajudicial executions. While citizens have grown increasingly frustrated with the inefficiencies of law enforcement, resorting to jungle justice is not the answer. The implications of such actions are severe:
Violation of Human Rights: The right to life is the most fundamental of all human rights. No one should be deprived of it without due process.
When people take the law into their own hands, society descends into chaos. Many victims of mob justice are later found to be innocent. In this case, 16 innocent hunters were wrongly accused and brutally murdered. Allowing such killings to go unchecked emboldens others to act as judge, jury, and executioner.
To put an end to jungle justice and the cycle of violence in Nigeria, urgent measures must be taken. Communities must be educated about the dangers of mob justice and the importance of due process.
Police and security agencies need to be more proactive and efficient in handling criminal cases. While vigilante groups play a role in community security, they must be monitored and held accountable for abuses.
Every attack—whether in the North, South, East, or West—should be given equal attention in the media. No Nigerian life is worth less than another.
The brutal killing of 16 innocent travelers in Uromi is a grim reminder of the dangers of jungle justice. As an advocate for human rights, I strongly condemn this act. It is inhumane to execute individuals without a proper investigation. Even suspected criminals should be handed over to the police for due process.
But we must also ask ourselves: how did we get here? Are we still one in Nigeria, or has something changed?
If we are to move forward as a nation, we must ensure that justice is served for all victims of violence—not just some. The government must take decisive action to end jungle justice once and for all, and the media must uphold fairness in their reporting.
The right to life is non-negotiable, and we must all fight to protect it.
Justice must be served. The perpetrators must be held accountable. And above all, Nigeria must prove that it is a nation that values all its citizens equally.
UROMI KILLINGS: A GRAVE INJUSTICE, THE DANGERS OF JUNGLE JUSTICE, AND THE NEED FOR EQUAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF ALL ATROCITIES IN NIGERIA
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