EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS MUST BE PUT TO REST IN NIGERIA
By Abubakar Muhammadu,
Mass Communication Department, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi
07th April, 2025
Extrajudicial killing refers to the unlawful and deliberate killing of individuals by persons or groups—sometimes state or non-state actors—without following due judicial processes. It is a situation where individuals take the law into their own hands, thereby denying the victim their right to a fair trial and lawful justice.
Although there is no comprehensive global database on extrajudicial killings, significant incidents have been reported in over 90 countries, including the Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, Bangladesh, and others. Many of these cases remain undocumented and uninvestigated.
In Nigeria, extrajudicial killings have become increasingly rampant. Many of these cases go unreported or are not properly investigated, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity. Beyond the Boko Haram insurgency that has plagued the North-East for over a decade—where residents have become all too familiar with the sound of gunfire like phone ringtones—Nigerians also face the growing threats of kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and other forms of communal violence.
A tragic flashback takes us to August 2021, when 22 innocent commuters were brutally murdered on Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident prompted only verbal condemnation from the then Buhari-led administration and the imposition of a 24-hour curfew by the state governor, with no decisive justice served.
Similarly, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that on April 2nd, gunmen attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in Plateau State. The attack in Hurti, Manguna District of Bokkos LGA, led to the death of 40 people and displaced about 1,000 others.
A recent and even more harrowing case that sparked widespread outrage involved the brutal killing and burning of 16 hunters from Kano State. These innocent individuals, who were on a legitimate hunting expedition, were intercepted and mobbed in Uromi, Esan East Local Government Area of Edo State, under the allegation of possessing illegal firearms. This savage act, widely condemned as extrajudicial, calls for immediate justice.
The continued rise in crime and violence in Nigeria, coupled with citizens’ apathy toward the rule of law, has created a breeding ground for lawlessness. When justice is not served, tensions rise, riots break out, and chaos becomes the norm.
In response to these atrocities, there have been a series of condemnations from government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and human rights activists such as Amnesty International. Encouragingly, this pressure has begun to yield results, as 14 suspects linked to the killing of the Kano hunters have been arrested.
Commendably, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the transfer of the principal suspects to Abuja for further investigation—a move that deserves public applause. His expression of sympathy to the bereaved families reflects the police force’s concern and commitment.
Moreover, the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, pledged compensation for the victims' families during a condolence visit to Kano State. While this gesture is commendable, it raises a critical question: how guaranteed is its implementation?
To prevent grieving families and concerned citizens from seeking vengeance or resorting to self-help, all levels of government must ensure that justice is served swiftly and fairly. Doing so will not only ease the pain of the bereaved but also encourage reconciliation, peace, and national unity.
The government, as the custodian of law and order, must uphold its responsibility to serve justice through the executive, legislative, and judicial arms. Failure to do so invites lawlessness and encourages citizens to take the law into their own hands, leading to greater unrest and instability.
Bringing all perpetrators of such heinous acts—particularly the recent Edo killings—to justice will reassure law-abiding Nigerians that their lives and security still matter to the state.
Furthermore, the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in collaboration with the Edo and Kano State governments, must ensure that the affected families are fully compensated. Providing them with adequate support will help replace sorrow with solace and restore a sense of normalcy.
In conclusion, taking decisive and non-discriminatory actions against criminals—regardless of religion, ethnicity, region, or political affiliation—will undoubtedly help restore the long-lost peace and harmony once enjoyed across Nigeria. Only then can we truly put an end to extrajudicial killings and ensure that justice reigns supreme.
Abubakar Muhammadu
Can be reached via:
Phone: 07032739517
Email: abubakarbukar1995@gmail.com