Addressing mob justice and genital theft rumours in Nigeria

Recently, the internet was inundated with a video depicting military personnel beating a man because someone had raised an alert about his missing genitalia. The military men subjected the man to severe physical abuse, and he could be seen gasping for breath as a result of the brutal beating. He later confessed to stealing the […]

Recently, the internet was inundated with a video depicting military personnel beating a man because someone had raised an alert about his missing genitalia. The military men subjected the man to severe physical abuse, and he could be seen gasping for breath as a result of the brutal beating. He later confessed to stealing the genitalia under duress. 

As if that weren’t enough, days later, another viral video emerged on the internet, showing Civil Defence personnel assaulting a man they accused of stealing someone’s genitals. This man also faced severe physical abuse. However, after the video came to the attention of the Civil Defence headquarters, the leadership ordered their arrest for torturing the individual without following due process.

What’s even of more concern is that almost half, if not more, of these alerts turn out to be false alarms, often leading to mob action and vigilante justice. Many people lose their lives at the hands of mobs who take matters into their own hands without involving the appropriate authorities responsible for investigating such incidents.

Just days ago, a Karu Upper Area Court in Abuja sentenced two men, Basil Eze and Awaisu Jibrin, to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of N10,000 each for defamation of character. 

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Olarewaju Osho, told the court that the complainant, Yakubu Tijani, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on October 4 after the defendants accused him of “shrinking” their genitals when he approached them and asked for directions to a street.

However, during the police investigation, the convicts were taken to a hospital where it was confirmed that their genitals had not been “stolen”.

The spate of mob actions has become a dangerous tragedy. Where is our humanity in all of this? When are we going to civilize ourselves?

Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses education, awareness, and a commitment to using scientific methods to ascertain the truth in such cases. First and foremost, there is a dire need for education and awareness campaigns across the continent to enlighten people about the consequences of resorting to violence based on unverified claims.

Education should focus on promoting critical thinking and teaching people to seek evidence before passing judgment or taking action. This includes promoting the importance of involving medical professionals, forensic experts, and law enforcement agencies when faced with allegations of unusual crimes like genital theft. By doing so, the chances of erroneous accusations and mob violence can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, governments and organizations must invest in improving the capabilities of law enforcement agencies and medical practitioners to handle such cases professionally and scientifically. This includes providing training on forensic methods and medical examinations to determine the validity of claims. Having well-trained professionals who can objectively investigate such incidents is essential for justice to prevail.

Additionally, community leaders, religious institutions, and traditional authorities can play a crucial role in discouraging mob justice and promoting peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms. They can use their influence to educate their communities about the dangers of taking the law into their own hands and advocate for a more rational approach to addressing disputes and allegations.

To address the issue of false alarms effectively, there should be mechanisms in place to hold those who make baseless accusations accountable for their actions. Legal consequences for false allegations and incitement to violence can act as a deterrent. This will discourage individuals from making unfounded claims that can lead to innocent people being harmed.

In conclusion, Nigeria’s development and progress hinge on its ability to address issues like mob justice and vigilantism with a scientific, rational, and law-abiding approach. Education, awareness, professional training, and accountability are key elements in achieving this goal. By adopting these measures, government can move towards a more just and prosperous future, where violence is replaced by reason and evidence-based decision-making. It is imperative that government takes decisive steps to eradicate this menace and build a society where justice prevails.

 

 Arc Aliyu Tanimu resides in Kaduna