Amnesty International has called on the federal government to take urgent and decisive steps to end the persistent cases of mob violence across Nigeria, warning that the failure of state institutions continues to encourage jungle justice and loss of innocent lives.
Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Mr. Isa Sanusi, made the call in Kano during a town hall meeting with key stakeholders as part of its ongoing nationwide campaign against mob violence.
According to him, the campaign, launched two years ago, was aimed at discouraging citizens from taking the law into their own hands and drawing government attention to the scale of the problem.
Sanusi described mob violence as a national crisis that cuts across all geopolitical zones, noting that people are often killed instantly over mere allegations of blasphemy, theft, or witchcraft, without investigation or recourse to the law.
He maintains that no civilised society that operates under the rule of law can allow this culture of violence and lawlessness to continue.
He cited documented cases, including the killing of a woman in Calabar over suspected witchcraft and the recent killing of a pastor in Southern Kaduna, accused of causing his brother’s prolonged illness and eventual death.
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According to him, Amnesty International has profiled no fewer than 155 cases of mob violence in the last 10 years, with at least 23 resulting in deaths across different parts of the country.
Sanusi stressed that mob justice is not peculiar to any region, describing it as a Nigerian problem requiring a collective and institutional response.
He blamed the trend on weak law enforcement and a failing justice system, arguing that public distrust in security agencies often fuels violent reactions by communities.
“When people believe suspects will be released after bribery, they lose confidence in the system. That is why some communities resort to burning police stations,” he said.
Sanusi urged the government to strengthen security agencies, adequately equip and motivate personnel, and ensure an effective, transparent, and people-centred justice system, saying this would discourage citizens from taking the law into their own hands and help restore public confidence.
