NIGERIA: ESCALATION OF MOB VIOLENCE EMBOLDENS IMPUNITY

Instantly Killed: How Law Enforcement failures exacerbate wave of mob violence in Nigeria documents how victims accused of theft, blasphemy, shoplifting and witchcraft are beaten, tortured and killed with impunity and suspected perpetrators almost always get away with it

• At least 555 victims of mob violence recorded over the last decade
• Upsurge of blasphemy killings fueled by alleged incitement from clerics
• Allegations of corruption and policing failures perpetuating violence

The failure of the Nigerian authorities to protect lives has led to a growing escalation of mob violence over the last decade, as people increasingly take law into their hands and carry out so- called ‘jungle justice,’ said Amnesty International Nigeria in a new report. 

Instantly Killed: How Law Enforcement failures exacerbate wave of mob violence in Nigeria documents how victims accused of theft, blasphemy, shoplifting and witchcraft are beaten, tortured and killed with impunity and suspected perpetrators almost always get away with it. 

Between January 2012 to August 2023, Amnesty International recorded at least 555 victims of mob violence (how many killed), from 363 documented incidents across Nigeria. Over the period of this investigation 57 people were killed by violent mobs; 32 were burnt alive, 2 persons were buried alive, while 23 people were tortured to death.

“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.” 

Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria

Amnesty International’s research details cases of victims of mob violence that include at least 13 women, six children, and two people 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 religious leaders creates an environment in which mobs feel entitled to take the law into their own hands. Meanwhile, 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. 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. Those arrested after the incident were freed and were never brought to justice. 

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. 

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. 

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 Nigerian authorities are failing to protect the human rights of victims, and the families of victims. They are failing to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims.  

“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 respond to mob violence.” said Isa Sanusi.