By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna: The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has strongly condemned the gruesome mob killing of a woman, Ummulkhair, at Mararaban Jos in Kaduna State, describing the incident as barbaric and ungodly.
The organisation, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed shock and grief over the incident, saying it reflected the collapse of moral values, the spread of misinformation and the increasing resort to jungle justice.
In a statement issued by the Secretary-General of JNI, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, the organisation said the lynching represented one of the darkest manifestations of lawlessness, collective irresponsibility and moral degeneration threatening peace and stability in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the reckless spread of misinformation, fake allegations and inciting narratives has become a dangerous weapon capable of leading innocent persons to humiliation, violence and death.
“No society survives when emotions replace evidence and mob actions replace institutions of justice. Sadly, our society is dangerously drifting from civilisation toward barbarism, where anger has replaced reason and collective violence has become normalised,” the statement said.
JNI extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the Kaduna State Government, the Muslim community and all Nigerians affected by the tragedy.
The organisation prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and for strength and fortitude for her family to bear the painful loss.
It also warned against the increasing culture of mob action, instant judgement and extra-judicial punishment, stressing that Islam places a high premium on the sanctity of human life and prohibits the killing of innocent persons outside due legal process.
JNI called for an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and urged security agencies to ensure that all those directly or indirectly involved in the incident are identified and prosecuted.
The organisation also demanded an investigation into allegations that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mararaban Jos Division allegedly failed to protect the victim and surrendered her to the mob.
According to JNI, if investigations establish negligence, misconduct or complicity by any security personnel, such officers should face the full consequences of the law.
The group further called for the payment of compensation (Diyya) to the bereaved family and urged the Kaduna State Government to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term support to the deceased’s dependents.
It specifically appealed to the government to take responsibility for the education and welfare of Ummulkhair’s children and provide psychological and emotional support to the family.
JNI also urged Islamic scholars, Imams, community leaders and Muslim organisations across the country to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the prohibition of mob action, the dangers of acting on rumours and the sanctity of human life.
The organisation warned that when citizens resort to killing based on rumours, and mobs become “judge, jury and executioner,” society itself begins to collapse.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)