The family of Malama Ummulkhair, an Islamiyya school teacher who was lynched and burnt by a mob on a false accusation of child stealing in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has recounted her final moments.

Some residents had accused Ummukhair, a mother of four, of attempting to steal children while on her way to attend an Islamic lecture on Sunday afternoon.

The allegation quickly spread, drawing a large crowd that attacked her before security operatives intervened and took her into protective custody at a nearby police station.

However, the situation later escalated as hundreds of angry youths and residents reportedly besieged the police station and demanded she be handed over to them. It was learnt that despite efforts by security personnel to restore order, the mob eventually overpowered the officers and set her ablaze.

Witnesses said police officers fired warning shots to disperse the crowd. One youth was reportedly shot and several others sustained injuries during the unrest along Kaduna-Zaria highway. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as disturbing.

“It is troubling that an allegation alone could lead to such a tragedy. She was reportedly on her way to an Islamic lesson when she was accused. Even after she was taken to the police station, the mob still went there and burned her,” he said.

Another resident attributed the violence to growing fears over alleged child theft cases in the area. Our correspondent, who visited the community on Monday, reported that police vehicles were stationed in front of the police station. Soldiers were also sighted at the station keeping vigilance.

How she was mobbed – Village head

The Village Head of New Maraban Jos, Suleiman Isa, who participated in the effort to rescue the victim, said he received a distress call from Ummulkhair’s husband.

“A friend of mine, who is the husband of the woman, called me and told me what was happening. People accused her of stealing children while she was on her way to an Islamic school to attend a preaching session,” he said.

Isa explained that he rushed to the scene on his motorcycle to rescue her and contacted the police.

“I managed to enter the place where she was being held. We then called the police because a large crowd had gathered. When the police arrived, we were able to take her to the police station,” he stated.

The village head said Ummulkhair begged him to get her water, but he could not do so during the ensuing chaos. He said all entreaties by him and the victim’s Islamic teacher to the crowd to allow the law take its course fell on deaf ears.

“I was with her Islamic teacher, who also came to the police station to plead with the crowd and explain that the woman was not a child thief, but the people refused to listen.”

“I later went back into the police station through the back door where she had been sitting, but she was no longer there. When I came outside again, I found that she had been killed,” he added.

While acknowledging concerns over missing children in the area, Isa condemned mob action.

The victim’s Islamic teacher and cleric, Umar Yusuf, whose motorcycle was burnt while trying to rescue her from the mob

“There have been cases of missing children in our area. Even now, a friend’s children are still missing. That is why people reacted the way they did. However, taking the law into one’s own hands is wrong,” he said.

Chairman of the Council of Imams in Maraban Jos, Imam Umar Yusuf, whose motorcycle was also burnt during the attack, insisted that the deceased was innocent.

“The woman was my student, and I had known her for many years. Yesterday (Sunday), she left home intending to come to where I was preaching at another school in Old Maraban Jos.

“She did not know the exact location, so she asked some children for directions. The children became frightened and started shouting that she was a child kidnapper,” he said.

The cleric dismissed claims that she had abducted any child, noting anyone who claimed they saw her carrying children in a sack was lying.

“She had no child with her. If she had kidnapped children, where are the parents of those children?” he asked.

The cleric lamented that efforts to save her failed and she was killed unjustly. “I also went there to tell them she was not a thief, but they took my motorcycle, placed it on her, and burned both of them.

“She left behind four children: two boys and two girls. This is pure injustice. We are asking for better security in the area and justice for her family and for us because we have been wronged,” he added.

I wished her safe return when she was leaving – Husband

The victim’s husband, Aliyu Mohammed, said he was devastated by the loss of his wife.

“I am confused and heartbroken because she did nothing wrong. She was an Islamic teacher and was simply on her way to attend a religious lecture when people stopped her and accused her of stealing children,” he stated.

Mohammed said he was at work when he received a call alleging that his wife had been caught attempting to kidnap children.

“I called a friend and asked him to go there before I arrived. By the time I got there, they had already burnt her,” he added.

He recalled that before she left home, she had told him she was going for her studies, and “I wished her safe return.”

The grieving husband said with her death, he will now be left to take care of them alone.

“What pains me most now is that I am left alone with the children. Whenever I look at them, I cry. Last night, our youngest child, who is four years old, kept asking why her mother had not come home, and I could only try to comfort her,” he added.

Describing her as peaceful and God-fearing, he appealed to government authorities for justice.

“She was falsely accused and then killed, leaving me alone with our children. What I want is justice from the government because I am a poor man.”

The victim’s sister-in-law, Zainab Aliyu, who said she was with Ummulkhair inside the police station, alleged that while the tension brewed outside, the Divisional Police Officer led the victim out of the station despite her warning.

“When the incident happened, we were inside the police station. People were throwing stones at the police, and the police were firing tear gas,” she recalled, adding that the DPO later entered the station.

“The DPO came in and asked where the suspect was. I pointed at her. He held her hand and started leading her away. When we got near the gate, I warned the DPO that the crowd would kill her if he took her outside.

“Another officer pushed me aside. As soon as they went outside, I followed them to the roadside and tried to pull her away because people had started beating her. Then a police officer dragged me back into the station and told me to leave because the crowd might kill me too,” she added.

The spot where the victim was lynched by the mob

Amnesty International demands probe

Amnesty International condemned the incident, which it described as a horrific act of mob violence and called for a thorough investigation.

The organisation in a statement shared on their verified Facebook page, said: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the horrific mob killing of Malama Ummulkhairi at Mararaban Jos community along Kaduna-Zaria highway.”

The group also urged authorities to investigate allegations that police officers handed the victim over to the mob.

“Witnesses told Amnesty International that as a large crowd invaded the police station, officers on duty brought the victim out and handed her to the crowd that killed her and set her body ablaze,” it added.

According to Amnesty International, the incident reflected a broader failure by authorities to protect lives. The organisation lamented that it is appalling that mob violence is gradually becoming the norm, saying it is largely meted out based on suspicion, rumour or hearsay.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, visited the bereaved family and assured them that justice would be served. She gave the assurance in a video clip circulated on social media.

“We are pleading with you to take heart and continue to pray for her soul. We have confirmed that what they accused her of was false, but some bad elements did what they did. God willing, justice will be done,” she assured.

Rights activist petitions IGP

A human rights activist and lawyer, Hamza N. Dantani, Esq., has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding an independent investigation into the allegation that police officers handed the deceased to the mob.

In the petition shared on social media, Dantani described the allegation as a possible violation of constitutional rights and police duties.

“Once a suspect is taken into police custody, the Nigeria Police Force assumes a legal duty of care and responsibility for the safety and protection of that individual,” he stated.

The lawyer called for the interrogation of all officers on duty, preservation of evidence and prosecution of anyone found culpable. “Justice must not only be done but must manifestly be seen to be done,” he added.

A security expert, Mohammed Ali, said the recurring cases of jungle justice were being fuelled by a lack of consequences for perpetrators.

“Any person captured by videos or identified by witnesses for participating in the lynching must be prosecuted for capital offences and, if convicted, the sentence must be executed to serve as a deterrence,” he stated.

Ali advocated the establishment of specialised judicial task forces to handle mob violence cases across the country.

Police arrest over 80 suspects

The Kaduna State Police Command has said more than 80 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, told Daily Trust that arrests were ongoing.

He said, “From yesterday (Sunday) to today (Monday), we have arrested over 80 people. They are currently in our custody, and we are doing our best to ensure a thorough investigation.

Anyone found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Investigation has already shown that the victim was wrongly accused.”

Hassan also explained that access to the police station became difficult after protesters blocked major roads leading to the division.

“When the mob began the protest, they blocked all major access roads, making it difficult for reinforcement teams to reach the area,” he added.

He maintained that officers acted professionally despite the challenges and vowed that those responsible for the killing would face justice.

“The command will not allow such behaviour to continue and whoever is arrested will face the wrath of the law,” he said. (Daily Trust)

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