NHRC, group mobilise Kaduna communities against mob violence

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a non-governmental organisation, Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP), have called for urgent community-led action to end mob violence and jungle justice in Kaduna State and across Nigeria, warning that extrajudicial attacks undermine human rights and the rule of law.

The call was made on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a high-level stakeholders’ dialogue in Kaduna aimed at strengthening grassroots crime prevention, protecting human rights and promoting respect for lawful judicial processes.

The meeting brought together representatives of the justice sector, security agencies, religious institutions, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, transport unions and civil society organisations to explore practical ways of tackling mob violence at the community level.

Speaking at the dialogue, the NHRC State Coordinator in Kaduna, Dr. Terngu Gwar, condemned the practice of taking the law into one’s hands, stressing that allegations of criminal conduct do not give individuals or groups the right to punish suspects.

“No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands or kill another person over an alleged offence,” Gwar said.

He warned that mob violence violates fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to life and dignity, while also destroying property, disrupting economic activities and leaving victims and affected communities traumatised.

According to him, allowing suspected offenders to be attacked or killed without trial undermines due process and weakens the authority of the state.

Addressing recent reported incidents in Mararaban Jos and the Birnin Gwari axis, Gwar urged residents to promptly report suspected criminal activities to security agencies rather than resorting to violence.

He emphasised that suspected offenders must be handed over to law enforcement authorities and allowed to face the established judicial process.

The Executive Director of CYPLP, Dennis Ekwere, identified inadequate public understanding of the justice system as one of the factors contributing to mob violence in communities.

Ekwere said the organisation’s grassroots engagements had shown that many people lacked sufficient knowledge of lawful procedures for handling suspected criminal offences.

“Our grassroots engagement indicates that a lack of public awareness regarding how the justice system functions directly contributes to mob action,” he said.

He stressed that condemning jungle justice alone would not address the problem, calling instead for sustained civic education, community dialogue and targeted public awareness campaigns.

“CYPLP is committed to moving beyond mere condemnation by actively driving dialogue, civic education, and targeted awareness campaigns,” Ekwere stated.

As part of efforts to translate the dialogue’s resolutions into practical community action, the organisation unveiled educational handbills and stickers produced in English and Hausa.

The materials are designed to reach residents through grassroots networks, including commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, who interact regularly with people across communities.

According to the organisation, the campaign materials will educate the public on the illegality of mob justice and encourage citizens to hand over suspected offenders to the appropriate authorities.

The initiative is intended to promote lawful responses to crime and discourage residents from participating in attacks against suspects.

Also speaking at the dialogue, Sarah Peters, a Senior State Counsel at the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, warned that anyone involved in mob violence or who incites others to attack suspected offenders could face prosecution under applicable criminal laws.

Peters acknowledged that delays in the judicial system could generate frustration among members of the public but maintained that such concerns could not justify violence or the denial of suspects’ constitutional rights.

She stressed that every accused person is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in accordance with the law.

“The Kaduna State Government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on mob action,” Peters affirmed.

She further warned that individuals who assault suspected offenders or instigate mob attacks would be held accountable under the law.

“Frustration with legal processes is not a defense for violence,” she said.

Peters’ remarks reinforced the need for citizens to channel grievances through lawful institutions rather than resorting to punishment based on suspicion or public anger.

Participants at the dialogue agreed that ending mob violence would require sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, community groups, transport unions and civil society organisations.

The discussions underscored the importance of strengthening public awareness of human rights, improving community engagement with law enforcement agencies and encouraging residents to report suspected crimes through established channels.

The stakeholders also highlighted the role of grassroots sensitisation in changing public attitudes towards mob justice and promoting respect for the rule of law.

The dialogue concluded with a renewed call for communities to reject extrajudicial violence and embrace lawful procedures for addressing suspected criminal activities.

The NHRC and CYPLP maintained that protecting human rights and preventing mob violence require collective responsibility, urging residents to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands and instead support lawful institutions in the administration of justice.

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