Follow Us on Google
…says justice can’t stop at sympathy alone
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has paid a condolence visit to the family of Malama Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the Islamic teacher who was lynched by a mob in Mararaban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 21.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Dalung said he spent time with the deceased’s husband, Mallam Aliyu Muhammed, and their children during the Sunday visit.
“Yesterday, I paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Malama Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the innocent Islamic teacher whose life was brutally cut short by a mob in Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State.
“I spent time with her husband, Mallam Aliyu Muhammed, listening as he recounted the painful ordeal that has turned his life upside down. I also interacted with their children, whose young faces now bear the burden of a tragedy they neither caused nor deserve,” he said.
Malama Ummulkhairi was attacked and killed by a mob in Maraban Jos after she was falsely accused of attempting to kidnap children while asking for directions to an Islamic lesson.
Her pleas were reportedly ignored before she was clubbed to death and set ablaze in broad daylight.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation.
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) described it as “one of the darkest manifestations of lawlessness”, while Governor Uba Sani said 41 persons have been charged with culpable homicide and 30 others for unlawful assembly in connection with the killing.
The governor also pledged to cater for the husband and four children, including sponsoring their education.
Other News
Dalung, while acknowledging the state government’s commitment to support the family, said sympathy alone was not enough.
He said, “While I acknowledge the steps already taken by the Kaduna State Government, including its commitment to support the welfare and education of the children, justice cannot stop at sympathy alone.
“The prosecution of those responsible must be pursued diligently until its logical conclusion. Anything less would diminish the value of human life and embolden those who believe they can act with impunity.”
He appealed to the Kaduna State Government to consider “every lawful avenue of justice available to this family,” including the issue of biyan diya (diyya), “where applicable under the law and accepted Islamic principles.”
“While no amount of compensation can replace a wife or restore a mother to her children, acknowledging this responsibility would provide some measure of justice and relief to a family whose loss can never truly be quantified,” he added.
Dalung also warned against the “dangerous culture of mob justice,” saying false accusations and mob hysteria have claimed too many innocent lives.
“Every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, or status, has the constitutional right to a fair hearing. The moment we permit the mob to become judge, jury, and executioner, we place every innocent citizen at risk,” he stated.
He prayed for Allah to forgive Malama Ummulkhairi, admit her into Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant her family strength.
“Justice delayed must not become justice denied,” he noted.
