The Jama’atu Nasril Islam has condemned the mob lynching of Ummulkhair in Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State, describing the killing as barbaric, ungodly and a disturbing reflection of the growing culture of jungle justice in Nigeria.
The Islamic organisation, led by its President General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said it received the news of the incident with profound shock, immense grief and disbelief.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Secretary General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI said the killing exposed what it described as the frightening collapse of moral restraint, the dangerous spread of misinformation and the increasing normalisation of mob justice across the country.
The organisation stated that, based on information it had gathered on the circumstances surrounding the incident, the lynching represented one of the darkest manifestations of lawlessness, collective irresponsibility and moral degeneration threatening peace, stability and the sanctity of human life in Nigeria.
JNI said the reckless spread of misinformation, fake allegations, malicious rumours and inciting narratives had become weapons capable of destroying innocent lives.
“It should be noted that no society survives when emotions replace evidence and mob actions replace institutions of justice. Sadly, our society is dangerously drifting from civilisation toward barbarism, where anger has replaced reason and collective violence has become normalised,” the statement said.
The organisation extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, her friends, associates and loved ones, as well as the government and people of Kaduna State, the Muslim Ummah and all Nigerians saddened by the tragedy.
JNI prayed that Allah forgives Ummulkhair, grants her Al Jannatul Firdaus and gives her family the strength to bear the painful loss.
While condemning the increasing culture of mob action, instant judgement and extra judicial punishment, JNI reminded Muslims and the wider society that Islam places the highest value on the sanctity of human life and prohibits the unlawful taking of innocent lives except through due legal process.
The organisation called on security agencies to carry out an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and prosecute everyone found to have participated directly or indirectly in the lynching.
JNI also demanded an investigation into allegations involving the Divisional Police Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Mararaban Jos Division, who was reportedly accused of surrendering the victim to the mob instead of ensuring her protection.
It insisted that if investigations establish negligence, misconduct or deliberate complicity by any police personnel, those involved should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The organisation further urged the payment of compensation to the bereaved family to promote justice and prevent any possibility of reprisal.
JNI also appealed to the Kaduna State Government and relevant authorities to provide humanitarian assistance, psychological and emotional support to the family, while taking responsibility for the education and welfare of Ummulkhair’s daughters and other children left behind.
The Islamic body stressed that such interventions should be practical and long lasting rather than symbolic, adding that delayed or denied justice would only deepen public distrust.
JNI equally called on Islamic scholars, Imams, preachers, community leaders and Muslim organisations across the country to intensify public enlightenment on the prohibition of mob action in Islam, the dangers of acting on rumours and unverified information, the destructive consequences of misinformation and the sanctity of human life.
According to the organisation, religious leaders must use their platforms responsibly to rebuild moral discipline and discourage violence in society.
“When citizens begin to kill based on rumours, when mobs become judge, jury and executioner, and when institutions surrender to street anger, then the society itself begins to collapse,” the statement added.
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