Amnesty International has raised alarm over what it described as an alarming rise in mob violence across Nigeria, blaming weak law enforcement, corruption and widespread impunity for the growing trend of extrajudicial killings.
In a new report titled Instantly Killed: How Law Enforcement Failures Exacerbate Wave of Mob Violence in Nigeria, the rights organisation said the inability of security agencies to protect lives and prosecute offenders has emboldened citizens to resort to “jungle justice.”
According to the report, at least 555 victims were recorded in 363 incidents of mob violence across Nigeria between January 2012 and August 2023.
Amnesty said that during the period covered by its investigation, 57 people were killed by violent mobs, including 32 who were burnt alive, two buried alive and 23 tortured to death.
Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, described mob violence as one of the gravest threats to the right to life in the country. “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,” Sanusi said.
He accused law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, of failing to prevent mob attacks, investigate allegations of torture and unlawful killings, and prosecute perpetrators.
“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,” he added.
The report revealed that victims included at least 13 women, six children and two persons living with actual or perceived mental health or psychosocial disabilities.
Amnesty documented incidents across all six geopolitical zones, recording 100 cases in the North-West, 98 in the South-West, 82 in the South-South, 43 in the South-East, 42 in the North-Central and 26 in the North-East.
According to the organisation, the pattern of attacks varies across regions. While victims in southern Nigeria are frequently accused of theft, ritual practices or witchcraft, those in northern states are often targeted over allegations of blasphemy, with some attacks allegedly encouraged by religious leaders.
The report also expressed concern that persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities are routinely targeted based on false accusations arising from their conditions.
Amnesty noted that most mob attacks occur in public places such as markets, motor parks and busy roads, where victims are subjected to brutal assaults involving beatings, stoning and the use of sticks, metal rods and other improvised weapons before being killed.
The organisation further stated that many victims were attacked because of their social status, religious identity, gender or membership of minority groups, while others were targeted in attempts to suppress freedom of expression or settle personal disputes.
Amnesty cited several high-profile cases, including the killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was lynched and burnt to death on May 12, 2022, following allegations of blasphemy. It alleged that although arrests were made after the incident, those detained were later released without prosecution.
The report also referenced the June 4, 2022 lynching of Ahmad Usman, also known as Musa, in Abuja over alleged blasphemy, and the June 25, 2023 killing of Sokoto-based butcher Usman Buda. Amnesty claimed its findings indicated that the allegations against Buda were used to settle personal business disputes.
It also highlighted the case of Martina Okey Itagbor, who was reportedly accused of witchcraft after two young men died in a road accident in Cross River State on June 18, 2023. According to Amnesty, she was tortured by a mob before being burnt alive.
The organisation accused Nigerian authorities of failing to provide justice for victims and their families through prompt, impartial and effective investigations.
It urged the Federal Government to strengthen measures to prevent mob violence, ensure the prosecution of suspected perpetrators through fair trials, improve police capacity to respond swiftly to attacks and guarantee justice and effective remedies for victims.
Amnesty maintained that without decisive action against perpetrators and institutional reforms, the cycle of mob violence and impunity would continue to threaten lives and undermine the rule of law across the country.
