Stakeholders, community leaders, and young people in Jos have called for an end to mob lynching, urging adherence to justice, peace, and the rule of law as the only path to a stable society.
The call was the central focus of “Reflection to Action 3.0,” themed “Youth Against Mob Lynching: Choose Justice, Not Violence,” held on April 18, 2026, at A+ Hub, Hillstation Junction. The event was organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Plateau State on Youth Mobilization, led by Hon. Safiyya Isa Muhammad, in collaboration with the Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan Memorial Foundation and A+ Hub.
Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the dangers of jungle justice, stressing the need for sustained youth engagement and community-driven approaches to addressing violence. They emphasized that mob lynching undermines societal order and often leads to the loss of innocent lives.
In her welcome address, Hajiya Safiyya Isa Muhammad warned that any society where the law loses its meaning risks descending into chaos. She condemned mob lynching, stating that no individual has the right to take another person’s life outside legal provisions. According to her, justice must be rooted in due process, fairness, and humanity.
She described Plateau State as a land of peace and diversity, urging citizens to embrace their cultural, religious, and ethnic differences as strengths rather than sources of conflict. Addressing youths, she acknowledged their influence but called on them to act with restraint, promote peace, and uphold justice.
Nenpominyi Gofwan of the Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan Memorial Foundation shared a personal account of loss, revealing that the foundation was established after his younger brother was killed in a mob lynching based on an unverified accusation. He described the incident as a painful example of how quickly lives can be destroyed when due process is ignored, urging greater awareness, empathy, and responsibility among citizens.
Resource person Vivian Abana outlined four principles for peaceful coexistence, truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit, encouraging participants to reflect on the impact of their actions and words. She highlighted the importance of unity in diversity and cautioned against prejudice and assumptions.
Representing the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, U. C. Erhabo described mob lynching as a violation of human rights and a threat to public safety. He urged citizens to report suspected offenders to law enforcement agencies rather than resorting to violence, noting that such actions only fuel instability.
Grace Goyol, speaking on behalf of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), linked rising cases of mob violence to drug abuse, particularly among youths. She noted that substance abuse often leads to aggression and poor judgment, calling for responsible behavior and collective efforts to curb the trend.
Similarly, George Abi of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recounted a disturbing encounter with mob violence, describing it as barbaric and ineffective in addressing crime. He stressed that such acts only perpetuate disorder and called for greater compassion and lawful engagement with security agencies.
Delivering an emotional appeal, Guinness World Record holder Victoria Anya Ishaku condemned mob lynching and urged youths to resist retaliation despite feelings of anger and frustration. She emphasized that “speed without direction leads to destruction,” encouraging thoughtful action and commitment to justice.
Usman Yakubu Hassan, a participant described the programme as timely and enlightening, especially amid recurring violence in Jos. He noted that mob-related incidents have persisted for decades, but this initiative uniquely brought together potential victims and perpetrators alongside security agencies. He commended the organizers for fostering dialogue and practical solutions, adding that the series has consistently promoted awareness, understanding, and prevention.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to serve as ambassadors of peace, reject mob violence, and promote justice through lawful means in their communities.
A Senatorial Aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court Sitting in Owerri, Imo State, over the fallout of the party’s National Assembly primaries.
Nwachukwu, in a suit filed through his Counsel, Cajethan Oguzie, accused the party of denying him the Imo North senatorial ticket after emerging a consensus candidate and paying N5m for the nomination form.
The suit also disclosed that Nwachukwu had paid N20m for the support of the party, but his support was unexplainably reduced to N10m when the list of those who supported the party was published.
The NDC Senatorial Aspirant, in his prayers before the court, demanded that a declaration should be made that he is the consensus candidate of the party in the state with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone in the 2027 General election.
“A declaration that the first defendant, NDC, be restrained from fielding another candidate except the plaintiff in the General election into the Imo North Senatorial Zone as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.
“A declaration that the second defendant, INEC, be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of another person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial election pending the determination of the matter,” the suit stated.
In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Nwachukwu stated that he purchased the expression of interest form to aspire for the position for Imo North senatorial zone, a copy of which is attached in the suit already filed.
The NDC Senatorial Aspirant added that upon the purchase of the form, he made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the tune of N20m into the party’s FCMB account number through his Counsel, receipt also attached in the suit as an exhibit.
“The first sign of irregularity and no compliance with the NDC constitution and electoral act came up when the N20m I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants for my Senatorial District by the name Matthew Omegara, and the N10m that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the Screening Committee headed by Sam Egwu and Buba Galadimma.
” In compliance with NDC’s directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.
After my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as a Candidate for Imo North district. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit 1U5,” the affidavit added.
Nwachukwu alleged that his name was substituted with Omegara after he had been declared the winner of the primary election.
The Imo North Senatorial Aspirant claimed that the National leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, had summoned him for a meeting telling him that his candidacy was affected after a party chieftain from his state said he didn’t know him.
Among other demands, Nwachukwu is asking the court to order NDC to issue him a certificate as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District.
Supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Anka and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have alleged attempts to manipulate the party’s membership records and card numbers ahead of internal political activities. The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Gusau by Nura Rabiu Cibiki, Director of Media and Strategy, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee for Abdulrahaman Yahaya, an aspirant for the House of Representatives seat representing Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency.
The group warned against any attempt to alter or duplicate legitimate membership figures, saying such actions could deepen tensions within the party in the constituency.
“We strongly oppose any move to manipulate or duplicate legitimate membership figures, warning that such actions would only worsen existing tensions within the party and the Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency,” the statement said.
The supporters maintained that ADC members in Anka and Talata Mafara were aware of the party’s authentic membership strength and were prepared to protect the integrity of the party’s records.
The statement added that while justice may be delayed, the truth could not be denied.
Meanwhile, Yahaya has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Gusau challenging alleged irregularities in the party’s primary election process in the constituency.
The court has fixed June 23, 2026, for mention of the case.