The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has condemned the brutal lynching of Ummulkhairi, a Muslim woman and mother of four, who was allegedly killed by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, after being accused of child kidnapping.
In a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the organisation described the killing as a “barbaric” act that reflected a dangerous breakdown of law and order.
According to MPAC, Ummulkhairi was removed from lawful custody following unverified allegations, denied due process, and subsequently killed by an angry mob. The group argued that the incident represented a serious violation of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
“This was not justice. This was not community protection. This was organised savagery enabled by rumour, fear, and institutional failure,” the statement said.
The organisation stressed that no allegation, regardless of its nature, should justify mob violence, warning that allowing suspicion to replace legal processes could push society toward anarchy.
MPAC also expressed concern over conflicting reports regarding the role of security personnel in the events leading to the victim’s death. While authorities have reportedly denied any wrongdoing, the group said public accounts of the incident raised questions that require independent scrutiny.
The organisation called for a transparent investigation into the actions of all parties involved, including security personnel responsible for the victim while she was in custody.
Describing the incident as part of a growing trend of mob justice across the country, MPAC warned that misinformation and public distrust of institutions were increasingly fueling violent attacks against accused persons.
“The legitimacy of the state is measured by its ability to protect the innocent, even when they are unpopular, accused, or misunderstood,” the statement noted.
MPAC demanded the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all those involved in the lynching, as well as an independent inquiry into the conduct of law enforcement officers on duty at the time.
The group also called for the public release of investigation findings, support and compensation for Ummulkhairi’s family, and stronger government measures to combat mob violence and unlawful detention practices.
MPAC warned that failure to ensure accountability could deepen public mistrust and encourage further acts of vigilante violence.
“Justice for Ummulkhairi must be decisive, visible, and uncompromising,” the statement concluded.