Calabar, Nigeria — Amnesty International has called on Nigerians to reject mob violence, warning that “jungle justice is not justice” and urging law enforcement agencies to rebuild public trust through credible investigations and timely justice delivery.
Speaking during a town hall meeting and awareness walk in Calabar themed “#JusticeNotJungle: Ending Mob Violence in Our Communities”, Barbara Shiknan Magaji, Programmes Manager at Amnesty International Nigeria, said the organisation’s two-year nationwide research documented 555 deaths from mob violence between 2012 and 2023 — an average of 55 deaths annually.
“Our findings show people are often killed over unproven allegations of witchcraft, theft, or religious offence. These acts violate the right to life, liberty, dignity, and freedom from torture,” Magaji explained. She stressed that such killings are irreversible miscarriages of justice that rob victims of fair hearing and often target innocent people.
Magaji identified mistrust in the justice system as a major driver of mob violence, noting that some citizens believe police will not act if suspects are handed over. She called on security agencies, lawyers, and the judiciary to strengthen investigative processes, prosecute cases diligently, and provide timely justice to restore public confidence.
The event, held at Millennium Park in Calabar, featured a campaign walk through major streets, solidarity actions, and petition signing. Participants included civil society groups, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Vice Chairman of NBA Calabar Branch and Chairman of its Human Rights Committee, Joseph Apajung, urged the public to avoid “descending on innocent persons,” stressing that mob killings amount to murder under Nigerian law. He called for due process — from investigation to fair trial — before anyone is punished for an alleged offence.
James Odong, Special Assistant to the Attorney General of Cross River State, disclosed that the Ministry of Justice has established a Criminal Justice Roundtable to coordinate justice delivery among police, NGOs, and other stakeholders. He said the initiative aims to restore faith in the justice system by ensuring timely, fair, and transparent prosecution of cases.
Magaji concluded with a call for community action: “Today you may be a perpetrator, tomorrow you could be the victim. Mob violence must be stopped. We must all report crimes to the police, stand as witnesses, and speak out against injustice.”
