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By Bernard Usman
The brutal lynching of Ummulkhairi Aliyu in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, remains one of the most heartbreaking reminders of the dangers of mob justice in Nigeria. In a matter of minutes, a woman described as an innocent Islamic teacher was falsely accused of attempting to kidnap a child, beaten mercilessly by an enraged crowd and eventually set ablaze before any credible investigation could establish the truth.
Beyond the horrifying circumstances of her death lies a more profound question: how should leadership respond when citizens lose their lives to lawlessness? Should such tragedies be treated as mere statistics, or should they become defining moments that reaffirm the supremacy of the law?
For Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, the answer appears unmistakably clear. From the very moment news of the incident broke, the governor chose neither silence nor political convenience. Rather than issue the routine statement of condemnation that often follows tragedies of this nature, he personally visited the bereaved family, consoled her husband and children and made two solemn promises: that justice would be served, regardless of whose interests were affected, and that the Kaduna State Government would assume responsibility for the welfare of the children Ummulkhairi left behind.
Those were not merely comforting words delivered for public consumption. They reflected a personal philosophy rooted in compassion, accountability and respect for the sanctity of human life. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the governor’s immediate response was that he delegated neither the responsibility nor the symbolism. He did not outsource the responsibility. There was no representative, no commissioner, no Secretary to the State Government, no Chief of Staff to do it on his behalf. Governor Uba Sani personally undertook the visit despite his demanding schedule. Leadership, after all, is often measured not during ceremonies and celebrations but in moments of grief and collective anguish.
His message to the family captured both empathy and resolve. For emphasis, he declared that: “Our duty extends beyond words; it demands compassion, justice and steadfast action.”
That statement has always been the defining principle guiding the government’s response to such developments. True to that commitment, the governor has consistently demonstrated that justice is not simply about making public declarations but about ensuring that institutions function effectively enough to deliver accountability.
During his interview on ARISE NEWS (Prime Time with Charles Aniagolu) on Tuesday night, Governor Uba Sani reinforced that determination. Far from offering vague assurances, Governor Uba Sani disclosed concrete steps already taken by his administration.
More than 100 persons had been arrested in connection with the killing. Forty-one had already been charged with culpable homicide, another forty-one remained under active investigation, while about thirty others were facing charges bordering on unlawful assembly. These figures tell an important story. Rather than targeting a handful of convenient scapegoats, investigators appear determined to identify every individual whose actions contributed to the horrifying crime.The governor left no room for ambiguity.
“We are not taking anything for granted. Nobody will go scot-free. We will go down to ensure that whoever is involved, justice is done for Ummulkhairi, her family and, most importantly, to serve as a deterrent.”
That declaration is significant for several reasons. First, it affirms that the value of human life does not depend on social status, wealth or influence. Ummulkhairi was neither a political office holder nor a wealthy celebrity. She was an ordinary citizen carrying out her daily activities. Yet the governor has insisted that her life deserves the full protection of the law. In societies governed by justice rather than privilege, that is exactly how a government should function.
Secondly, Governor Uba Sani has refused to limit accountability solely to members of the mob. One of the more revealing disclosures during the interview concerned allegations against the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area where the tragedy occurred.
Following complaints made by Ummulkhairi’s family, the governor elevated the matter to the Inspector-General of Police and requested a broader investigation. The DPO has since been transferred and is undergoing investigation.
This development underscores an important principle.
Justice loses credibility when attention is focused only on direct perpetrators while potential institutional failures are ignored. If officers entrusted with protecting citizens were negligent, or worse, complicit, they too must answer before the law.
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Governor Uba Sani made this position abundantly clear. “Nobody can be exonerated at this critical time.” Those words may ultimately become one of the most important aspects of the entire investigation. They demonstrate that justice must be holistic. A government genuinely committed to protecting human rights cannot afford selective accountability. The governor’s insistence that even police personnel should face investigation where necessary reinforces confidence that the process is intended to establish the truth rather than merely satisfy public outrage.
Equally noteworthy was his refusal to excuse criminality under the guise of economic hardship or public frustration. In recent years, acts of mob violence have frequently been explained away as consequences of poverty, insecurity or declining confidence in public institutions. While these factors undoubtedly shape social behaviour, Governor Uba Sani rejected any attempt to treat them as justification for murder. His position deserves careful reflection.
“You can be frustrated, but you have no right to take someone’s life.” Few statements capture the essence of constitutional democracy more succinctly.
The rule of law cannot survive where emotional impulses replace due process. Every allegation deserves an investigation. Every suspect deserves a fair hearing. Every citizen deserves the protection of the law irrespective of accusations levelled against them.
Once mobs become investigators, judges and executioners simultaneously, civilisation itself begins to erode. That is why the governor’s determination to prosecute every individual involved carries significance beyond this single case. It represents a broader effort to reinforce public confidence in lawful institutions. Indeed, deterrence is one of the most important objectives of criminal justice.
Successful prosecution of those responsible will send a powerful message that mob violence attracts severe legal consequences. Without such consequences, dangerous precedents become established, encouraging others to bypass the justice system whenever rumours spread.
The tragedy of Ummulkhairi Aliyu illustrates precisely how false accusations can rapidly degenerate into irreversible catastrophe. A mere allegation was enough to end a precious life. No investigation. No evidence. No trial.
No opportunity for self-defence. Only violence.
That reality explains why governments must treat such incidents with utmost seriousness. Governor Uba Sani appears fully conscious of that responsibility. Beyond arrests and prosecutions, his compassionate outreach to the victim’s family reflects another dimension of governance often overlooked. Justice is not solely about punishing offenders. It is also about standing with victims.
His promise to care for Ummulkhairi’s children acknowledges that while the law may punish killers, it cannot restore a mother’s presence. The government, therefore, has both legal and moral obligations to support those left behind. Such gestures may not erase grief, but they reassure victims that society has not abandoned them. Perhaps this explains why many residents describe Governor Uba Sani as a governor deeply connected to ordinary people.
His response to this tragedy, just as others, reflects qualities that have increasingly become associated with his leadership: accessibility, empathy and readiness to act decisively. Ultimately, the pursuit of justice for Ummulkhairi Aliyu transcends one criminal investigation.
It has become a test of society’s commitment to human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. Every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity, occupation or social standing, deserves equal protection under the Constitution. No accusation should become a death sentence delivered by a mob. No citizen should lose confidence that the government will defend their fundamental right to life.
Governor Uba Sani’s handling of this painful episode suggests a leader determined to ensure that those principles are not merely constitutional ideals but practical realities. Whether through his personal visit to the bereaved family, his insistence on comprehensive investigations, his involvement of the Inspector-General of Police, his refusal to shield anyone from scrutiny or his unwavering promise that justice must prevail, the governor has consistently communicated one central message: every human life matters.
As investigations continue and the judicial process unfolds, many Nigerians will be watching closely. Not simply because justice is owed to Ummulkhairi Aliyu and her family, but because the outcome will signal whether Nigeria is prepared to confront the menace of jungle justice with the firmness it deserves. If the governor’s words are matched by successful prosecutions and institutional reforms, the tragic death of Ummulkhairi may yet become a turning point in Kaduna’s determination to continually uphold human dignity, strengthen civil liberty and reaffirm that in a democratic society, no individual or mob possesses the right to substitute violence for justice.
•Usman, a public affairs commentator and good governance advocate, writes from Zaria, Kaduna State
