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Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has vowed that everyone involved in the lynching of Islamic teacher Ummulkhairi Aliyu will face justice, disclosing that more than 100 suspects have been arrested as investigations into the killing continue.
Aliyu was beaten to death and her body set ablaze by a mob in the Maraban Jos area of Kaduna after she was falsely accused of child theft. The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over mob justice.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Sani described the victim as an innocent woman whose death could not be justified under any circumstance.
“The very unfortunate incident that happened precisely about two weeks ago that involved a very innocent woman. Ummulkhairi she is an Islamic teacher. Of course, she was murdered innocently by some very disgruntled elements within the axis of Maraban Jos in Kaduna.”
The governor said his administration responded immediately by ordering arrests and launching a broad investigation.
“Since the incident happened, the Kaduna State government under my leadership has taken very drastic action. As we are speaking, about 100 or more than 100 people have been arrested.”
According to him, dozens of suspects have already been charged, while investigations continue into others.
“Out of them, 41 have already been charged with culpable homicide, as we are speaking. Another 41 are still going through investigation, it’s still ongoing and of course, 30 have also been charged for unlawful assembly.”
He insisted that every person linked to the killing would be prosecuted.
“We are not taking anything for granted. And nobody will go scot-free, definitely, in Kaduna.”
Sani said justice for the victim’s family would also serve as a warning against future acts of mob violence.
“We will go down to ensure that whoever is involved, justice is done for Ummulkhairi, her family, and most importantly, to be a deterrent for anyone that will dare try to do something like this in the near future or in the future.”
The governor said the state had widened the investigation beyond the suspected attackers, revealing that he personally reported the matter to the Inspector-General of Police.
“When this thing happened, for me, the first thing I did was to look at the whole issue holistically. Not only the people that were involved. First thing I did was expanding the level of investigation. I reported the issue also to the Inspector General of Police, I met him, we discussed.”
He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Maraban Jos had been transferred following complaints from the victim’s family.
“And now, of course, the DPO of that very area has since been transferred. He’s going through investigation himself.”
Sani said the decision followed allegations raised during his meeting with the deceased’s relatives.
“Because when I met the family of Ummulkhairi, apart from the people that were involved, there were also some allegations from the family against the DPO, who is the police officer in charge of Maraban Jos.”
The governor maintained that no individual or institution would be shielded from scrutiny.
“I believe nobody can be exonerated at this critical time. We need to investigate this issue holistically.”
He said that was why he requested a wider investigation involving all officers attached to the division.
“That is the reason why I reported to the Inspector General of Police, and I made it clear to him that everyone, including the police that were involved in that divisional office, must be thoroughly investigated.”
Sani said accountability would remain the government’s priority until the investigation is concluded.
“So, as I’m speaking with you, nobody is exonerated. And I can assure you that we will ensure that justice prevail at the end of this investigation.”
Responding to claims that the lynching reflected public frustration, the governor rejected attempts to excuse the killing on economic or social grounds.
“It depends on how you look at this issue because that’s why I said we must be careful in politicizing this issue. It’s not as easy as you think.”
He argued that reducing the crime to frustration ignored the seriousness of what had happened.
“For me, the more we continue to politicize this issue and now try to blame this on the issue of frustration by people, it is trying to simplify the whole issue.”
The governor stressed that hardship could never justify mob justice or the unlawful taking of human life.
“For me, it’s not like someone thinking he can take the law into his hands. It has nothing to do with frustration. You can be frustrated, but you have no right to take someone’s life. That is the most important thing.”
He added that his administration would continue to pursue the case vigorously to ensure it serves as a deterrent against future acts of jungle justice.
“So for me, I refuse to allow this issue to be reduced to frustration. That is why we are going to take a very drastic action to be a deterrent for anyone.”
The governor reaffirmed that the Kaduna State Government would pursue the case to its conclusion, saying everyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law while the victim’s family receives the justice they deserve.
