Ummulkhairi, 35, left her home in Sabon Gari, Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State, on June 21 to attend an Islamic lecture but was killed by a mob after she stopped to ask children for directions.
Residents, already alarmed by rising kidnapping fears, allegedly accused her of being a child kidnapper. Police said officers rescued her and took her to the station for protection, but a mob overpowered them and forcibly took her away.
So far, 17 suspects have been arraigned, while 33 others have been charged with criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly. Her husband, Aliyu Muhammad, also alleged that police handed her over to the mob, prompting the Inspector-General of Police to order an investigation.
On July 26, Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, 25, popularly known as “Ibee”, a model and chef, was allegedly tortured to death in Jos North, Plateau State, after being accused of stealing an iPhone 12. Police said he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
The two cases highlight the devastating consequences of jungle justice, where unverified allegations can lead to fatal attacks and deny suspects their right to due process.
Psychologist Dr Adedotun Ajiboye said factors such as fear, anger, group pressure, conformity, frustration and an ‘us-versus-them’ mentality could fuel mob violence, causing individuals to abandon personal judgment and follow the crowd.
Nigeria has recorded several high-profile cases of jungle justice, including the 2012 Aluu killings in Rivers State, where four University of Port Harcourt students were beaten and set ablaze after being accused of theft.
In May 2022, Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, was also lynched and her body set ablaze over allegations of blasphemy.
Amnesty International said 555 victims of mob violence were recorded in 363 documented incidents across Nigeria between January 2012 and August 2023. It said 57 people were killed, 32 burnt alive, two buried alive and 23 tortured to death.
The organisation also documented women, children and people with actual or perceived mental health or intellectual disabilities among the victims.
Legal experts said jungle justice violates constitutional protections, including the right to life, protection from torture and the presumption of innocence under the 1999 Constitution.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, blamed failures by law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate mob violence and prosecute perpetrators, calling for prompt and impartial investigations.
Security expert Dr Abdullahi Jabi attributed some cases to delayed police response caused by logistical challenges, unemployment, poverty and frustration among youths.
“It is a logistical problem arising from lack of vehicle, or no fuel or the driver is not available and then before you get there, the case is worse.’’
“Most Nigerian youths have graduated from schools, three years, four years, yet no jobs.
“So, this anger bottle up and they take the anger to the state and take vengeance from innocent citizens within the community and the larger society,” he said.
Jabi called for improved police capacity, faster response, stronger community policing, public education and measures to improve citizens’ welfare.
Experts say tackling jungle justice requires stronger institutions, prompt investigations and ensuring that allegations are determined through lawful trials rather than mob rule.
