By Danjuma Amodu
A human rights group, Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd./GTE. (SOJA), has condemned the alleged mob killing of Islamic teacher Malama Ummulkhairi in Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State, warning that the incident represents a dangerous assault on constitutional rights and public order if confirmed by authorities.
In a statement issued on Monday, SOJA’s Founder and Executive Director, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, expressed outrage over reports that Ummulkhairi, a wife and mother, was lynched and her body set ablaze after being mistakenly accused of attempting to kidnap children.
According to reports cited by the organisation, the deceased had left home to attend an Islamic lecture but became separated from her companions while trying to locate the venue. While searching for directions, she was allegedly accused of child abduction and taken to a police station.
SOJA said information available in the public domain indicated that family members and community leaders identified her at the police station as a respected Islamic teacher and insisted there was no evidence linking her to any criminal activity. Despite these interventions, an enraged mob reportedly gained access to her and carried out the killing.
The organisation said it had not independently verified every aspect of the reports, including the precise circumstances of the incident, but stressed that the allegations were serious enough to warrant urgent action by relevant authorities.
“If confirmed, the incident would constitute a tragic violation of the right to life, human dignity, personal security, equality before the law, and the fundamental principles of justice and due process.”
It maintained that no allegation should become a death sentence and that accusations can never substitute for criminal investigations, courts of law, or the State’s obligation to protect its citizens.
The advocacy group cited Sections 33, 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and fair hearing, respectively. It also invoked Section 14(2)(b), which provides that the security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.
SOJA further reminded authorities that Nigeria is bound by several international and regional human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Maputo Protocol.
The organisation noted that if the deceased was indeed in police custody or under police protection before the attack, the incident would raise serious questions about whether adequate measures were taken to safeguard her life and prevent foreseeable harm.
It argued that mob violence is not merely an offence against an individual victim but also a direct attack on public order, democratic governance, and confidence in justice institutions.
SOJA urged investigators to identify not only those who physically participated in the alleged killing but also any institutional failures, operational lapses, acts of negligence, or command deficiencies that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Kaduna State Government, the National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the Kaduna State Police Command, and other relevant authorities to undertake an independent, impartial, and professional investigation into the incident.
It also demanded the identification, arrest, and prosecution of all persons found culpable, warning against any attempt to suppress evidence, intimidate witnesses, distort facts, or shield perpetrators.
Describing the death of Ummulkhairi as a matter that also raises concerns about violence against women, SOJA stressed that as a woman, educator, wife, and mother, she was entitled to equal protection under Nigerian and international law.
The organisation further recommended the adoption of safety and communication protocols for organisers of religious and public gatherings. These should include accurate venue addresses, GPS coordinates, emergency contacts, and designated event marshals to minimise misunderstandings and unnecessary risks.
To address the broader challenge of mob justice, SOJA proposed nationwide public enlightenment campaigns, improved police crowd-control procedures, mandatory human rights training for law enforcement officers, installation of surveillance systems at police facilities, community early-warning mechanisms, and stronger prosecution of perpetrators of jungle justice.
“The death of any citizen through mob violence is not merely a private tragedy. It is an attack on the Constitution, the rule of law, public security, and democratic governance. Today it is Malama Ummulkhairi. Tomorrow it could be anyone.”
SOJA extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that no Nigerian is denied the protection of the law or subjected to violence based solely on suspicion or accusation.
