Member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has condemned the lynching of a teacher identified as Ummulkhairi in Kaduna State, describing the incident as a tragic and barbaric act that must not go unpunished.
Ummulkhairi was reportedly killed by a mob in Mararaban Jos, a community located along the busy Kaduna-Zaria highway, on Sunday after she was falsely accused of attempting to kidnap children.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the growing trend of mob justice in different parts of Nigeria, where people accused of crimes are often attacked without investigation or trial.
Reacting to the killing, Bello El-Rufai said he was deeply saddened and horrified by the incident. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lawmaker lamented that an innocent woman lost her life simply because of false accusations and rumours.
According to him, the victim’s only intention was to seek directions so she could attend a lecture, but instead she became the target of a violent mob.
“I am deeply saddened and horrified by the tragic lynching of Ummulkhairi in Mararaban Jos. An innocent woman whose only ‘offence’ was reportedly asking for directions to attend a lecture was subjected to an act of unimaginable cruelty,” he said.
The lawmaker described the killing as a stain on society’s conscience and stressed that no allegation or suspicion, especially one not backed by evidence, could justify taking the law into private hands.
He said respect for human life remains a core value in both religion and the Nigerian legal system, adding that the victim was denied her fundamental right to due process before she was brutally killed.
“The sanctity of human life is fundamental to both our faith and our laws, yet she was denied due process and killed in the most inhumane manner,” he stated.
Bello El-Rufai also expressed concern over reports that security personnel were present at the scene but failed to stop the attack. He said every citizen deserves protection under the law and that security agencies must always act decisively to prevent such incidents.
“Equally disturbing is the reported presence of security personnel at the scene, yet without effective intervention. Every Nigerian deserves the full protection of the law, and jungle justice must never be normalised under any circumstances,” he said.
The lawmaker warned that the increasing cases of mob violence across Nigeria pose a serious threat to public safety and the rule of law. According to him, many of these incidents are driven by rumours, misinformation and hasty conclusions, often leading to the death of innocent people.
He noted that no country can make meaningful progress when citizens abandon legal processes and choose to act as judges, juries and executioners.
“Beyond this incident, I strongly condemn the rising pattern of mob violence across the country, often fuelled by rumours, misinformation and instant judgment. No society can thrive where citizens take the law into their own hands,” he added.
Bello El-Rufai called on security agencies to carry out a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the killing. He urged authorities to identify and prosecute not only those who physically participated in the attack but also individuals who may have incited the violence or failed in their responsibilities to prevent it.
He said bringing all those involved to justice would send a strong message that mob action will not be tolerated.
“I call on security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure that all those responsible, direct perpetrators, instigators and any negligent actors, are brought to justice,” he said.
The lawmaker further urged the government and security institutions to strengthen preventive measures aimed at stopping similar incidents in the future. He stressed the need for public awareness campaigns, improved community policing and quicker responses to false alarms and rumours.
He also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort for her loved ones during the difficult period.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May Allah forgive her shortcomings, grant her Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort her loved ones. May justice prevail,” he said.
The killing of Ummulkhairi has once again drawn attention to the challenge of mob justice in Nigeria. Over the years, several people accused of theft, kidnapping and other crimes have been attacked or killed by mobs before investigations could be conducted by law enforcement agencies.
As calls for justice grow following Ummulkhairi’s death, many Nigerians are demanding swift action from authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that stronger measures are introduced to prevent further incidents of jungle justice across the country.
The tragic killing has become another painful reminder of the dangers of misinformation and mob action, as well as the urgent need to strengthen respect for the rule of law and the protection of human life.