Dalung visits family of lynched Kaduna Islamic teacher, demands justice beyond sympathy

Dalung visits family of lynched Kaduna Islamic teacher, demands justice beyond sympathy

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has called for swift justice over the killing of Malama Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the Islamic teacher who was lynched by a mob in Mararaban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, insisting that justice for the deceased must extend beyond condolences and government promises.

Dalung made the call after paying a condolence visit to the bereaved family, where he met with the deceased’s husband, Mallam Aliyu Muhammed, and their four children.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Monday, the former minister described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that has left a family devastated and raised serious concerns about the growing menace of mob justice in Nigeria.

“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,” Dalung said.

He added that he spent time listening to the deceased’s husband recount the painful events surrounding the incident and also interacted with their children, who are now left to cope with the loss of their mother.

Malama Ummulkhairi was reportedly attacked and killed on June 21, 2026, after she was falsely accused of attempting to kidnap children while asking for directions to an Islamic lesson in Mararaban Jos.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that despite repeatedly explaining her mission and pleading for mercy, an angry mob allegedly beat her, stoned her and eventually set her ablaze before security operatives could intervene.

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The killing sparked nationwide outrage, with religious organisations, human rights advocates and civil society groups condemning the attack as a grave violation of the rule of law and calling for justice for the deceased.

Among those that condemned the incident was Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), which described the killing as one of the darkest examples of lawlessness and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.

Following investigations by security agencies, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani disclosed that 71 suspects have been arraigned in connection with the killing.

According to the governor, 41 suspects are facing charges of culpable homicide, while another 30 suspects have been charged with unlawful assembly over their alleged involvement in the mob attack.

Governor Sani also announced that the Kaduna State Government would provide welfare support for the deceased’s husband and sponsor the education of her four children, describing the killing as barbaric and unacceptable.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that everyone found culpable is brought to justice.

While acknowledging the Kaduna State Government’s support for the bereaved family, Dalung maintained that sympathy alone cannot substitute for justice.

“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 said.

He urged prosecutors and the judiciary to ensure that the criminal trial proceeds without unnecessary delays, stressing that accountability would serve as a deterrent against future acts of mob violence.

The former minister also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to explore all lawful avenues available to provide justice and relief to the deceased’s family, including the consideration of diyya (blood compensation) where applicable under Nigerian law and recognised Islamic principles.

According to him, while financial compensation cannot replace a wife or mother, it could provide some support for the family left behind.

“No amount of compensation can replace a wife or restore a mother to her children, but acknowledging this responsibility would provide some measure of justice and relief to a family whose loss can never truly be quantified,” he said.

Dalung warned that the increasing cases of mob justice across Nigeria pose a serious threat to human rights, public safety and confidence in the country’s justice system.

He stressed that every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status, is entitled to a fair hearing under the Constitution.

“The moment we permit the mob to become judge, jury and executioner, we place every innocent citizen at risk,” he stated.

He called on governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against jungle justice while strengthening public confidence in lawful dispute resolution mechanisms.

Dalung prayed for Allah to forgive the late Malama Ummulkhairi, grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, and comfort her husband, children and other family members.

He concluded by reiterating that “justice delayed must not become justice denied.”

Dalung visits family of lynched Kaduna Islamic teacher, demands justice beyond sympathy