Mob violence claims 23 lives across Nigeria – Amnesty Int’l

Amnesty International Nigeria has disclosed that at least 23 people have been killed across the country as a result of mob violence, calling on the federal government to urgently take drastic and effective measures to address the growing culture of lawlessness. The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isah Sunusi, made the disclosure in Kano […]

Amnesty International Nigeria has disclosed that at least 23 people have been killed across the country as a result of mob violence, calling on the federal government to urgently take drastic and effective measures to address the growing culture of lawlessness.

The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isah Sunusi, made the disclosure in Kano while unveiling a public awareness programme as part of the organisation’s ongoing nationwide campaign against mob violence.

Sunusi said the campaign, which started two years ago, has been taken to all six geopolitical zones and would continue as part of efforts to pressure authorities to confront the root causes of mob killings in Nigeria.

According to him, Amnesty International has, over the last 10 years, profiled no fewer than 155 cases of mob violence across the country, many of which resulted in loss of lives.

“In our report, we have documented at least 23 cases of people who were killed as a result of mob violence across Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that mob violence often occurs when people accused of offences such as blasphemy, theft or witchcraft are attacked and killed instantly without investigation or due process.

Sunusi described the trend as unacceptable, stressing that no society governed by law and order should tolerate such acts.