Jungle justice: Can Nigeria end the reign of mob violence?

July 21, 2025

Nigeria faces a troubling rise in jungle justice incidents, with Amnesty International documenting at least 555 cases between 2012 and 2023. This form of extrajudicial punishment carried out by mobs involves public shaming, beatings, torture, or killings based on mere suspicion without evidence or trial. Despite the brutality, some Nigerians justify it as a necessary response to police corruption, delayed justice, and perceived impunity in the legal system.

Who is affected

Nigerian citizens suspected of crimes
Victims of mob violence (including the teenager burnt to death in Edo state, the 22-year-old female Christian student stoned to death, and suspected phone thieves in Jos)
Nigerian communities and society at large
The Nigerian justice system and law enforcement agencies
Religious minorities (as evidenced by the case of the Christian student killed after accusations of blasphemy)

What action is being taken

Amnesty International is documenting jungle justice incidents and holding stakeholder engagements on eradicating mob violence
Legal experts and authorities are participating in discussions about jungle justice, such as the X Space titled "Jungle Justice and Human Rights: Causes and Consequences in Nigeria"
Media professionals are working to name and shame perpetrators of mob violence
The judiciary has convicted at least one police officer for being complicit in jungle justice (in the Aluu Four lynching case)

Why it matters

Jungle justice violates constitutional rights to presumption of innocence and due process
The practice represents a breakdown in trust in formal legal institutions
It creates a cycle of violence where innocent people can be killed without evidence or trial
The escalating brutality of mob actions threatens public safety and rule of law
It highlights systemic problems in Nigeria's criminal justice system, including inadequate policing resources and slow prosecution
The phenomenon reflects deeper societal issues including poverty, ignorance, and religious tensions

What's next

Amnesty International recommends enacting anti-mob violence laws and ensuring effective implementation
Experts suggest faster and more efficient prosecution of criminal cases, grassroots education, strengthening accountability within law enforcement and judiciary
The government is advised to provide effective protection against violence in the name of religion
Legal practitioners recommend prioritizing swift and transparent justice to restore public trust
There is a call for empowering law enforcement agencies to make the justice system more effective and functional

Read full article from source: Global Voices