Metro
FLASHBACK ALUU 4: Mob Justice Still Haunts Nigeria After 12 Years
Twelve years later, the echoes of that grisly day still linger. Despite widespread outrage, judicial consequences, and numerous public campaigns, mob justice continues to rear its ugly head across Nigeria, raising alarming questions about societal breakdown, mistrust in law enforcement, and the persistence of extrajudicial killings.
On October 5, 2012, Nigeria was shaken by one of its most tragic incidents of mob justice, now infamously known as the Aluu 4 lynching. In the quiet community of Aluu, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, four young men—Lloyd Toku-Mike, Tekena Friday Elkanah, Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, and Chidiala Loroson Biringa—were brutally beaten, paraded naked, and burned alive in a horrifying act of jungle justice.
The students, all from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), were wrongfully accused of robbery after a local debtor raised a false alarm. This moment marked a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history and exposed the dangers of unchecked mob violence.
The Aluu Incident: A Gruesome Mock Trial:
On that fateful day, the four students visited Aluu in search of a debtor who had owed one of them a significant amount of money. Rather than addressing the matter amicably, the debtor falsely accused the students of being armed robbers. What followed was swift and merciless—before any formal investigation could take place, a mob descended upon the young men, subjecting them to what can only be described as a “mock trial.”
Stripped naked, beaten with various objects, and eventually set on fire, their lives were brutally cut short, and their deaths were captured in a harrowing video that went viral on social media.
The footage sparked outrage across the country, bringing Nigeria’s troubling history of mob justice into the spotlight. As the images of the murdered students circulated, citizens demanded accountability, and the Rivers State Police Command quickly arrested several suspects.
By July 31, 2017, five years after the incident, three individuals, including a police sergeant, were found guilty and sentenced to death. However, despite these convictions, the underlying issue of mob justice in Nigeria remains deeply entrenched.
Jungle Justice: A Continuing Crisis:
Jungle justice, or mob justice as it is commonly known, refers to the extrajudicial punishment carried out by civilians, often resulting in the lynching or execution of suspects without due process. In many Nigerian communities, this act has become alarmingly commonplace. Whether it is a suspected thief, a person accused of witchcraft, or someone alleged to have committed minor infractions, mobs often take the law into their own hands. This behaviour is fueled by a deep-rooted distrust in the Nigerian legal and law enforcement systems, which many perceive as slow, corrupt, or entirely ineffective.
Since the Aluu 4 incident, there have been numerous cases of mob justice across Nigeria. In Lagos, a suspected phone thief was burned alive by an irate crowd in 2023. In Owerri, a couple accused of motorcycle theft was lynched by a mob in September 2024. These examples are only a small sample of the continued pattern of lawless retribution. The trend is widespread, affecting urban centres and rural communities alike, cutting across ethnic and religious lines.
Why Does Mob Justice Persist In Nigeria?:
Several factors contribute to the persistence of mob justice in Nigeria. Chief among them is the distrust in the formal justice system. Many Nigerians, especially those in rural areas, believe that the police are either ineffective or complicit in allowing criminals to go free. Corruption within the judiciary only reinforces these perceptions, leading people to take matters into their own hands when faced with crime.
In some instances, it takes days or even weeks for the police to respond to crimes, making citizens feel that swift mob action is the only way to secure justice.
Cultural factors also play a role. In some communities, traditional methods of justice have long been the norm, and the concept of collective punishment or vengeance against perceived wrongdoers is embedded in the social fabric. This cultural inclination, combined with the adrenaline of group dynamics, can quickly escalate into violence, with little regard for due process.
Another contributing factor is the lack of public education on the dangers and unlawfulness of mob justice. While efforts have been made to raise awareness, many still believe that jungle justice is an effective means of deterring crime. Without widespread campaigns that change this perception, the cycle of mob violence will likely continue.
The Role of Law Enforcement:
Despite these challenges, the Nigerian police force has, in some instances, taken a stand against mob justice. The warning issued by Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, after the recent Owerri lynching, highlights ongoing efforts to curb this menace. He reminded the public that suspects should be handed over to law enforcement, urging citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Similar statements have been made by police officers across the country, yet their efforts have often been met with resistance, particularly in areas where trust in the police is at its lowest.
However, law enforcement agencies themselves face structural issues that hamper their ability to effectively combat mob violence. Limited resources, lack of training, and under-staffing mean that many police units are ill-equipped to handle large crowds or rapidly escalating situations. Until these systemic issues are addressed, the battle against mob justice will remain uphill.
Moving Forward: The Need for Reform:
Twelve years after the tragic death of the Aluu 4, Nigeria is still grappling with the realities of mob justice. The root causes of this phenomenon—ranging from distrust in legal institutions to cultural practices—require a multi-faceted approach to eradicate. Public education campaigns, stronger police-community relations, and judicial reform must be prioritized if the country is to break free from this cycle of violence.
The Aluu incident serves as a painful reminder of what happens when the rule of law is abandoned. As Nigeria reflects on this dark anniversary, the question remains: How many more lives must be lost before meaningful change takes hold?
The memories of Lloyd, Tekena, Ugonna, and Chidiala should serve as a rallying call for reform. Their tragic deaths, alongside the countless others claimed by jungle justice, demand that Nigeria rethink its approach to justice and law enforcement. Only by ensuring that every Nigerian has access to fair and timely justice can the nation finally put an end to this disturbing trend.
Metro
Days After Massacre Of 16 Farmers, Armed Herdsmen Return To Benue Community, Kill Many Villagers
“Suspected armed Herdsmen came to Ayin Benue State yesterday night to attack our people again. This attack claimed the lives of multiple villagers and we are still recovering corpses in the bush till now,” a top source told SaharaReporters.
“However, the traditional rulers are trying to hide the situation from escalating.”
Attacks by suspected herdsmen in Benue State have led to the killing of at least 5000 persons in recent times.
The latest attack is coming three days after 16 farmers were ambushed and killed on Kashimbila Road in the state while returning to their community in Mbandwa ward.
The farmers were returning home on Monday when they were ambushed.
Their bodies were dumped in the river by the gunmen.
SaharaReporters had also reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had withdrawn all corps members from Mbaa community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State due to escalating violent attacks.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations of NYSC in Benue, Yahuza Adamu, said the withdrawal was prompted by incessant security threats in the area.
“Since the beginning of incessant attacks on Mbaa Community which shares boundary with the Republic of Cameroon, NYSC withdrew all Corps Members from the area, and has not posted any there till date,” the statement had read.
The situation in Mbaa has worsened, with suspected armed herders reportedly killing over 20 people, including 16 farmers whose bodies were discovered in River Katsina Ala.
Adamu assured parents and guardians that NYSC remains vigilant and committed to the welfare of corps members.
He stated that the NYSC Kwande Local Government Inspector had conducted a headcount, confirming that all corps members were safe and accounted for.
“Hence, all Corps Members serving in Jato Acka Turan, which is far away from the affected community, are not exposed to any security threat,” he added.
The NYSC official stressed that the organisation takes proactive measures to safeguard corps members.
Credit: SaharaReporters
Halima Ibrahim, a Senior Secondary (SS) 2 student of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Potiskum, died on Thursday, following the collapse of their school building during lessons.
Four other students of the school are currently receiving treatment in hospital as a result of the tragedy.
Dr Bukar Aji, Permanent Secretary, Yobe Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, confirmed the incident at a news conference on Thursday in Damaturu.
He said the incident occurred at about 1 pm on Thursday, when a block of two classrooms collapsed on the students during lessons.
“Actually, what happened was that a block, which contains two classrooms, came down to the corridors of the classroom.
“Unfortunately, five of our students were affected.
‘‘One of them gave up along the line, and four of them are in good condition, according to the medical doctor who was in the hospital,” Aji said.
The permanent secretary said that there were about 50 students altogether in both classes, with each class containing 25 students.
“They were in session and they are SS2 students.
“We visited them and actually, they were traumatised,” Aji said.
The permanent secretary said the ministry was waiting for an official report from the school so as to inform the state Ministry of Housing about the development.
“ The ministry is more competent to identify the root cause of the problem and identify measures to prevent future occurrence,” he said.
(NAN)
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Jato Aka Turan community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State are currently crying for an urgent security help as they said that herdsmen who launched fresh attacks in the community have killed no fewer than 20 people in two days.
According to the corps members who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the herdsmen in an uninterrupted sustained attack between Sunday and Tuesday killed at least 20 and injured several others, throwing the community into chaos and tension.
The corps members lamented that Jato Aka Turan community, which is not far from a Nigerian Army base, is known for security vulnerability as they often watch in broad daylight how more than 20 motorcyles loaded with armed men and ammunition pass around the villages.
They said that the security situation in the community is so bad that their Local Government Inspector (LGI) hardly comes to the community except for the monthly clearance exercise, and that the LGI told them that if the attacks enveloped Jato Aka Turan community, they should move to neighbouring Adikpo community.
A corps member serving in another community in the state told SaharaReporters on Wednesday, “I have been able to speak with one of us at Jato Aka Turan, the affected area of Kwande Local Government Area.
“He said Jato is a far remote village from Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area Secretariat main town.
“The LGI hardly goes there except for clearance. Likewise, the corps members there have their own activities and CDS there. They are about 21 serving corps members there in Jato Aka Turan, Kwande LGA.
“The corper who I spoke with, who is currently serving at Jato Aka Turan emphasised on challenges and said that they are not safe and they have reported to the LGI.
“According to him, the LGI said when the issue gets there, in their community, they should move to Adikpo.
“They also went to the nearby military checkpoint, a mini barrack and complained to them. The military men said anytime there is a problem, they (corpers) should contact them.
“Corps members in Jato Aka Turan often watch in broad daylight more than 20 bikes loaded with men and ammunition who head to the nearby communities to fight herdsmen.
“When they (vigilante) relent, herdsmen attack and kill the villagers. If nothing is done about the corps members, God forbid, I fear they might be affected.”
A Facebook user with name, Wase Richie Aondofa, who posted about the attacks on Facebook with some gory photos wrote,
“Pictorial evidence of series of attacks in different communities in my village yesterday, at Jato Aka Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State by the Fulani herdsmen.
“Several lives were lost and properties worth millions destroyed. We are calling on all the relevant agencies responsible for this to please come for our rescue.
“We are dying! My village, Jato Aka Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, is no longer safe. God may your will be done.”
SaharaReporters also got a screenshot of a WhatsApp status of one the corps members which read, “Fulani X men (Fulani herdsmen) killed not less than 20 people between Sunday and yesterday (Tuesday) in a village very close to my PPA centre (Place of Primary Assignment) and NYSC staff told us in camp ‘No insecurity in Benue’.
“This fight started in 2014, meaning NYSC staff are aware of this fight. Today, helicopter fly over the school where I teach (PPA).
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) went to the village to shell the area. The students started running when they heard the sound of the bomb. We sent them back to the class.”
However, when SaharaReporters called the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, for reaction and comment on the police action on the incident, she rejected the calls.
Anene however sent a text message to our reporter saying, “Can’t talk now. What’s going on?”
However, till the time of filing this report, the police spokesperson has not responded to a text message.
Credit: SaharaReporters
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