END THE SILENCE: NIGERIA MUST HALT EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS NOW
By Abubakar Muhammadu
Mass Communication Department, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi
7th April, 2025
ALPHAMEDIA24
In any democratic society, justice is expected to be blind—served without fear or favour, through lawful and transparent judicial processes. Yet, in Nigeria today, a dangerous pattern of lawlessness threatens that very ideal: the rise of extrajudicial killings.
Extrajudicial killing refers to the deliberate and unlawful execution of individuals by state or non-state actors without recourse to due legal procedures. It is the ultimate miscarriage of justice—a brutal denial of a person’s fundamental right to life and fair trial. It undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in the institutions meant to protect us.
Although no global database fully captures the scope of these atrocities, reports from organizations such as Amnesty International indicate that Nigeria joins countries like the Philippines, Colombia, and Bangladesh where such killings are tragically frequent. But in Nigeria’s case, the silence and inaction surrounding them often scream louder than the crimes themselves.
From the deadly Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to intercommunal clashes, kidnappings, and mob justice across the country, Nigerians are confronted daily with violence—often meted out without trial or accountability. The sound of gunfire has become as familiar as a phone ringtone for some communities.
One chilling example was the August 2021 massacre of 22 commuters on Rukuba Road in Jos North, Plateau State. Despite national outrage, the response was limited to condemnations and curfews—without tangible justice for the victims. No one has been held to account.
Fast forward to April 2025: the News Agency of Nigeria reported attacks across Hurti, Josho, and Daffo in Plateau State, with 40 people killed and over 1,000 displaced. These are not mere statistics—they are human lives, snuffed out without consequence.
Even more horrifying was the recent mob killing and burning of 16 hunters from Kano State in Uromi, Edo State. Accused—without evidence—of carrying illegal firearms, these innocent men were lynched in broad daylight. No trial. No defense. No mercy.
This is not just a breakdown of security—it is a breakdown of humanity.
However, the collective outrage that followed the Uromi killings offers a glimmer of hope. The arrest of 14 suspects and the swift intervention by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun—who ordered the suspects' transfer to Abuja for further investigation—is a step in the right direction. The public expression of sympathy and concern shows a willingness to act, and such leadership deserves commendation.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State also pledged compensation to the victims' families during a condolence visit to Kano State. While this is a necessary gesture, it must go beyond words. Promises made must become actions delivered.
The real test of government lies not in offering condolences, but in delivering justice—swiftly, fairly, and without bias. Every arm of government—the executive, legislative, and judiciary—must rise to the occasion. The time for selective justice and political hesitation is over.
The Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in collaboration with the Edo and Kano State governments, must ensure that:
- All perpetrators are prosecuted, regardless of their social or political status.
- The victims’ families receive full and timely compensation.
- Legal and institutional reforms are put in place to prevent future occurrences.
Additionally, security forces and law enforcement agencies must be retrained, reoriented, and held accountable for unlawful use of force. The era of unchecked brutality must end.
But this is not only a government responsibility—it is a collective one.
Civil society, media, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens must speak up, demand justice, and refuse to be silent in the face of injustice. In silence, we become accomplices.
Until Nigeria confronts this plague of extrajudicial killings with the seriousness it deserves, peace will remain elusive, and justice will remain a myth for the weak and powerless.
Let us rise as one nation, one people, with one voice: Never again shall any Nigerian be denied justice by a mob or a bullet.
Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.
Abubakar Muhammadu
Phone: 07032739517
Email: abubakarbukar1995@gmail.com