Amnesty International Nigeria has taken its campaign against mob violence to Lagos, urging stronger public enlightenment and judicial transparency to curb the rising cases of extrajudicial attacks across the country.
Speaking at a town hall meeting held on Wednesday, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, joined other stakeholders in emphasizing the need for accelerated public education to end mob action, often referred to as “jungle justice.”
The event brought together representatives from law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, legal practitioners, journalists, civil society, market associations, and student groups. Participants collectively called for greater trust in the justice system, stressing that improving transparency and accountability in the judiciary would encourage more Nigerians to seek legal redress rather than resort to violence.
The campaign is part of a nationwide initiative following Amnesty International’s October 2024 report, which cited the government’s failure to adequately protect lives as a key driver behind the rise in mob violence. The report noted that the lack of faith in formal justice mechanisms has led many citizens to take the law into their own hands.
Amnesty International reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to promote human rights and ensure justice is pursued through lawful and democratic means.
