In a report released by Amnesty International Nigeria, the organization has shed light on the alarming rise of mob violence in the country over the past decade. The report attributes this disturbing trend to the failure of Nigerian authorities to protect citizens and enforce the rule of law, leading people to take matters into their own hands in the form of so-called “jungle justice.”
Titled ‘Instantly Killed: How Law Enforcement Failures Exacerbate Wave Of Mob Violence In Nigeria,’ the report sheds light on the horrific treatment of individuals accused of theft, blasphemy, shoplifting, and witchcraft, often leading to brutal beatings, torture, and even death.
The report unveiled the extent of brutality perpetrated by vigilantes across the country between January 2012 and August 2023. According to the organization’s records, at least 555 individuals fell victim to violent mobs during 363 documented incidents in the period under investigation.
The report further details the horrific methods employed in these acts of violence, with 57 people being killed, 32 of whom were burnt alive, two buried alive, and 23 others tortured to death.
Many cases of mob killings in remote areas go unreported, the report noted.
“The menace of mob violence is perhaps one of the biggest threats to the right to life in Nigeria. The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence,” said Isa Sanusi Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
“The failure of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to prevent mob violence, investigate allegations of torture and killings, and bring suspected perpetrators to justice, is empowering mobs to kill. The problem is compounded by weak and corrupt legal institutions and systems.”
Amnesty International’s research details cases of victims of mob violence that include at least 13 women, six children, and two persons with actual or perceived mental health illnesses and/or psycho-social or intellectual disabilities. Cases of mob violence were documented in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: South-South (82), South-East (43), South-West (98), North-Central (42), North-West (100), and North-East (26).
In the southern parts of Nigeria, mob violence is mostly targeted at those accused of theft, of taking part in rituals or practising witchcraft. In northern Nigeria, it is mostly used against those accused of blasphemy and often endorsed by religious clerics.
Those with mental health conditions and psycho-social disabilities are consistently targeted by violent mobs that use their disabilities to make false accusations against victims and to justify lynching them.
“It is appalling that mob violence is gradually becoming the norm, often meted out in crowded areas, such as motor parks, market areas and busy roads. Victims were always tortured including by beating, stoning, or via the use of improvised weapons like sticks and metal rods,” said Isa Sanusi.
Many of the victims of mob violence were targeted because of their social status, identities as members of religious or other minority groups. Other reasons for targeting victims include attempts to curtail the rights to freedom of expression, and freedom from discrimination due to gender or specific conditions, including against women, children, and people with psycho-social disabilities.
Blasphemy Killings in Northern Nigeria
The apparent encouragement of killings for blasphemy by some Islamic clerics creates an environment in which mobs feel entitled to take the law into their own hands. Meanwhile, influential persons and government officials rarely publicly condemn mob violence for blasphemy.
Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, was killed on 12 May 2022. The organisation lamented how a horrifying video showing her being stoned and burned to death was circulated widely on social media.
The police arrived at the scene after Deborah was already dead, it said, adding that those arrested after the incident were freed and were never brought to justice.
Its statement reads, “On 4 June 2022, a blasphemy allegation was made against Ahmad Usman (who was also known as Musa). He was lynched by a mob at the tipper garage in Lugbe District, Abuja.
“On 25 June 2023, Usman Buda – a Sokoto-based butcher was killed by a mob for alleged blasphemy. Amnesty International found that the religious argument leading to his lynching was a set up to settle personal grudges over sales in the market.”
According to Amnesty International Nigeria, despite numerous cases of women being victims of mob violence over allegations of witchcraft, the Nigerian authorities have failed to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate these allegations or put up safeguards, especially in rural areas where women are targeted, in many cases, to settle personal or inter-family scores.
It said, “On 18 June 2023, Martina Okey Itagbor was accused of causing the death of two young men who died in a motor accident.
“She was accused of witchcraft, which was alleged to be the cause of the accident. A mob gathered around Mrs Okey and interrogated her. They then collected stones and other harmful objects and tortured her before burning her alive by the roadside.”
Authorities’ failure to protect
The report noted that Nigerian authorities are failing to protect the human rights of victims and their families. They are failing to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims, the organisation said.
“The Nigerian authorities must urgently address the escalating cases of mob violence including by upholding and protecting the rights of everyone in the country to life and freedom from torture.
“Government must ensure prompt, thorough, impartial, independent, transparent and effective investigation of cases of mob violence and bring those suspected to be responsible to justice in fair trials. Authorities should also take appropriate and effective measures to prevent cases of mob violence across the country and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims. The police must be adequately equipped to prevent and respond to mob violence.” said Isa Sanusi.
Credit: Saharareporters
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