The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has condemned the lynching of a woman identified as Ummulkhairi in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, describing the incident as a grave miscarriage of justice and a dangerous reflection of the growing trend of mob violence in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the organisation expressed outrage over the killing of Ummulkhairi, a Muslim woman, teacher, wife, and mother of four, who was allegedly accused of child kidnapping before being attacked and killed by a mob.
MPAC said the incident was not an act of justice or community protection but rather “organised savagery” fuelled by rumours, fear, and what it described as institutional failure.
According to the organisation, Ummulkhairi was removed from lawful custody based on unverified allegations, stripped of her dignity, denied due process, and ultimately killed in circumstances that raise serious concerns about the breakdown of law and order.
The group maintained that no allegation, regardless of its nature, can justify mob execution, warning that any society that allows suspicion to take precedence over the rule of law risks descending into anarchy.
MPAC also expressed concern over conflicting accounts regarding the role of security personnel during the events leading to Ummulkhairi’s death. While official reports have reportedly denied any wrongdoing by law enforcement officers, the organisation noted that public narratives surrounding the incident have raised questions that require urgent clarification.
As a result, MPAC called for a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the conduct of all security personnel and community members involved in the incident. It stressed the need to establish the exact chain of custody and determine how the victim was removed from detention before being killed.
The organisation further argued that the killing was not an isolated occurrence but part of a growing pattern in which rumours quickly escalate into violence and accused individuals are denied protection by institutions responsible for administering justice.
According to MPAC, the increasing prevalence of mob justice poses a serious threat to national stability and undermines public confidence in the country’s legal and security systems.
The group reminded authorities that the legitimacy of the state depends largely on its ability to protect innocent citizens, including those who may be accused, misunderstood, or unpopular.
To ensure accountability, MPAC demanded the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all individuals involved in the lynching and alleged burning of Ummulkhairi.
The organisation also called for an independent investigation into the actions and omissions of law enforcement officers who were on duty during the incident, as well as the public release of the findings to promote transparency and restore confidence in the justice system.
In addition, MPAC urged the government to provide protection, welfare assistance, and restitution for the deceased’s family, particularly her four children who have been left traumatised by the loss.
The group further called for urgent government intervention to address the growing menace of mob justice, violence driven by misinformation, and unlawful detention practices across the country.
MPAC warned that failure to take decisive action could deepen public mistrust and encourage further acts of violence. It stressed that when citizens begin to equate accusations with guilt and mobs with courts of law, the foundations of justice are severely weakened.
Describing Ummulkhairi’s death as a test of conscience for society, institutions, and political leaders, the organisation urged authorities to ensure that justice is served in a manner that is decisive, transparent, and uncompromising.
The statement was signed by Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria.
