A human rights activist, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, on Thursday said the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led Delta State Government should immediately investigate the murder of a woman by an angry mob on the suspicion of attempting to steal a seven-year-old child in Agbarho Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Agberen, in a statement sent to our correspondent in Warri, insisted that those suspected to be responsible must be arrested and brought to justice.
The woman was set ablaze by the mob on Wednesday, September 13, DAILY POST can report.
According to Agberen, he is making the call after the husband and children of the deceased woman visited the Ughelli North Council Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Jaro Egbo, in his office over the incident.
“While it has been reported by the indigenous people and residents of Agbarho town about the persistent and alarming disappearance of children, suspected to be victims of human trafficking or stolen for ritual purposes, which calls for concerns by the State Government and relevant authorities, no individuals, groups, residents or aggrieved commuters have the right to take the life of another on the ground of being a suspect or caught in the act.
“What would be the fate of these children, growing up in an environment where they are exposed to individuals who brutally tortured and murdered their mother, based on an unjust and erroneous characterization?
According to Agberen, “As a concerned citizen, I deeply condemn the actions of the aggrieved mob, which also expose the tragic consequences of mob justice, which continues to claim innocent lives and erode public trust in the justice system.
“The incident is a sobering reminder of the urgent need for stronger law enforcement, public education, and judicial reforms too.
“While I must also recognize that the citizens’ loss of confidence and public trust in the legal and judicial system, and the failure of relevant government bodies to make necessary reforms, are responsible for these incidences, the menace of mob violence is perhaps one of the biggest threats to the right to life in Nigeria, just like these kids would have to psychologically suffer from the trauma of what happened to their mother in broad daylight.
“The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, especially in the North, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence.
“The sole remedy for mob control is to have reliable systems, from security agencies to the judiciary. The moment Nigerian law starts working effectively, all this jungle justice and mob violence will end naturally; however, I call for justice, rule of law, and human rights for all.”
Rights activist demands probe into killing of woman accused of child theft in Delta