Prominent Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria on Monday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, a Muslim woman who was lynched by a mob in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after being falsely accused of attempting to steal children.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and included the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, Conference President of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Adamu Jangado, and other Christian leaders.

The delegation said the visit was to identify with the bereaved family, condemn the killing and reaffirm that justice and compassion should never be defined by religion or ethnicity.

Speaking during the visit, Hayab described the killing as a painful tragedy that should concern every Nigerian, warning that the growing trend of mob justice threatens national peace and the country’s justice system.

“Nigeria should never become a banana republic where citizens take the law into their own hands. No one deserves to die in such a painful manner. Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to a fair hearing, regardless of any allegation,” he said.

Quoting the Scriptures, Hayab said Christians are commanded to mourn with those who mourn, stressing that the delegation considered it a moral obligation to stand with the bereaved Muslim family.

“Our visit is a message that pain has no religion and justice knows no tribe. Every human life is sacred and every Nigerian deserves justice,” he added.

He called on the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to ensure that all those responsible for the killing are arrested and prosecuted.

Hayab also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment against jungle justice, insisting that criminal allegations should always be handled by law enforcement agencies.

During a telephone conversation with the deceased’s husband, Malam Aliyu Mohammed, Hayab commended him for remaining calm despite the tragedy.

“At a time when many would have reacted differently, you have chosen peace over retaliation. Your conduct is a shining example that humanity and justice are greater than hatred and division,” he said.

Responding from the hospital where he is receiving treatment, Aliyu thanked the Christian leaders for identifying with his family during their difficult time.

“I sincerely appreciate Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, Rev. Ishaya Adamu Jangado and the entire delegation. Your visit has shown that compassion has no religious boundary and has strengthened our faith in our shared humanity,” he said.

Aliyu described his late wife as a peaceful and God-fearing woman who left home on the day of the incident to attend an Islamic lecture.

“My wife was innocent. She told me she was going for her Islamic studies, and I wished her a safe return. I never imagined that would be the last time I would see her alive,” he said.

He added that the greatest pain was that their four children had been left without their mother.

“What pains me most is that I am now left alone to care for our four children. Our youngest child keeps asking when her mother will return, and I have no answer,” he said, while appealing to the government to ensure justice.

Community leaders and Islamic clerics familiar with the incident have maintained that Ummulkhairi was innocent of the allegations against her.

According to accounts, the Islamiyya teacher and mother of four was on her way to an Islamic preaching session when she stopped to ask some children for directions. The children reportedly became frightened and raised an alarm, attracting a crowd that accused her of attempted kidnapping.

She was initially rescued and taken into protective custody at a nearby police station. However, an angry mob later overpowered security personnel, dragged her out of custody and set her ablaze.

The Incident has drawn widespread condemnation from religious leaders, civil society organisations and human rights advocates, who described it as a tragic reminder of the dangers of jungle justice.

Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested some suspects in connection with the killing, while the Kaduna State Government has assured the public that all those responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Monday’s condolence visit by Northern Christian leaders further reinforced calls for justice and sent a strong message that peaceful coexistence, human dignity and the rule of law must always prevail over religious and ethnic divisions. (The Guardian)

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