Nigerians have raised concerns over the rising cases of mob justice across the country, as citizens increasingly take the law into their own hands to punish individuals suspected of committing various offences.
For weeks, cases of jungle justice have continued to emerge, with suspects subjected to torture, dehumanisation, public humiliation and, in some instances, extrajudicial killings.
In many parts of the country, mob attacks are often triggered by allegations of theft, fraud, witchcraft, wrongful transactions and other perceived offences.
In several cases, suspects are attacked and punished by angry mobs without being given the opportunity to defend themselves or prove their innocence.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the trend is the killing of individuals over allegations of blasphemy, with some victims attacked based on accusations and rumours before the claims against them could be properly investigated or determined by a court of law.
The situation has continued to raise concerns about public safety, human rights and the growing disregard for the rule of law, as citizens bypass law enforcement agencies and the judicial system in dealing with suspected criminal activities.
While several incidents of mob violence remain largely underreported, cases that have made their way into the public domain have sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for Nigerians to allow security agencies and the courts to handle allegations of criminality.
According to Amnesty International, at least 363 cases of mob violence have been recorded across Nigeria in the last decade, with nearly 100 people killed.
