Human rights advocacy organisation, Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd./GTE. (SOJA), has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged mob killing of an Islamic teacher, Malama Ummulkhairi, in Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State, describing the incident as a serious violation of constitutional rights, human dignity and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Monday, SOJA’s Founder and Executive Director, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, expressed concern over reports that Ummulkhairi, a wife and mother, was lynched and her body set ablaze after being wrongly accused of attempting to kidnap children.
According to accounts referenced by the organisation, the deceased had left her home to attend an Islamic lecture but became separated from her companions while trying to locate the venue. While seeking directions, she was allegedly accused of child abduction and subsequently taken to a police station.
SOJA stated that information in the public domain indicated that family members and community leaders later identified her at the police station as a respected Islamic teacher and maintained that there was no evidence linking her to any criminal activity. Despite these interventions, the organisation said an angry mob reportedly gained access to her and carried out the attack.
While noting that it had not independently verified all aspects of the reports, including the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, the group stressed that the allegations were grave and warranted urgent investigation by relevant authorities.
“If confirmed, the incident would constitute a tragic violation of the rights to life, human dignity, personal security, equality before the law, and the fundamental principles of justice and due process,” the statement said.
The organisation emphasised that no allegation should amount to a death sentence, insisting that accusations cannot replace lawful criminal investigations, judicial processes or the State’s responsibility to protect citizens.
SOJA 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 referenced Section 14(2)(b), which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
The group further noted that Nigeria is a signatory to 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.
According to SOJA, if Ummulkhairi was indeed under police custody or protection before the attack, the circumstances would raise critical questions regarding the adequacy of measures taken to safeguard her life and prevent foreseeable harm.
The organisation argued that mob violence extends beyond an attack on an individual victim, describing it as a threat to public order, democratic governance and public confidence in justice institutions.
It urged investigators to identify not only those directly involved in the alleged killing but also any institutional failures, operational lapses, negligence or command deficiencies that may have contributed to the tragedy.
SOJA 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 conduct an independent, impartial and professional investigation into the incident.
The group also demanded the arrest and prosecution of all individuals found culpable, warning against attempts to suppress evidence, intimidate witnesses, distort facts or shield perpetrators from justice.
Describing the case as one that raises broader concerns about violence against women, SOJA stressed that Ummulkhairi, as a woman, educator, wife and mother, was entitled to equal protection under both Nigerian and international law.
The organisation further recommended the adoption of improved safety and communication protocols for organisers of religious and public gatherings, including the provision of accurate venue details, GPS coordinates, emergency contacts and designated event marshals to reduce the risk of misunderstandings.
To address the wider problem of mob justice, SOJA advocated nationwide public awareness campaigns, enhanced police crowd-control procedures, mandatory human rights training for law enforcement personnel, installation of surveillance systems at police facilities, community-based early warning mechanisms and more robust 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,” the organisation stated.
SOJA extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that no Nigerian is denied legal protection or subjected to violence based solely on suspicion or unverified allegations.
