A pastor in Kaduna State has been brutally murdered by an angry mob over accusations of witchcraft, sparking outrage and fresh concerns over the rising tide of jungle justice in Nigeria.
Horrific Mob Killing in Southern Kaduna
Pastor Dio Idon, who served at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Ungwan Shaawa LC in Kasuwan Magani DCC, was lynched on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The mob in Southern Kaduna accused him of using witchcraft to cause the death of his brother, who had suffered from a prolonged illness.
Following the horrific attack, the remains of the clergyman were set on fire and burned to ashes by the assailants. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and drawn condemnation from human rights organizations.
Amnesty International Condemns 'Deeply Troubling Trend'
In a strong statement issued on Friday, January 9, 2026, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the killing, describing mob violence as a "deeply troubling trend" in Africa's most populous nation.
The organization stated via X (formerly Twitter): "This is another story in the growing pattern of mob violence killings in Nigeria." It emphasized that the case reflects a wider pattern where people are accused, attacked, and killed without trial, while accountability remains rare. "Mob violence thrives where justice fails," Amnesty declared.
Earlier, on Monday, January 6, Amnesty had labeled Pastor Idon's murder as "horrifying" and an example of how people increasingly take the law into their own hands.
Systemic Failure and a Call for Justice
Amnesty International highlighted the authorities' "shocking failure" to protect citizens from such violence. The group pointed out that these killings have been happening for a long time with few cases properly investigated or prosecuted.
They have called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into Pastor Idon's murder and ensure that all those suspected of involvement—both directly and indirectly—are brought to justice.
The organization's research underscores the scale of the problem. A 2024 report by Amnesty International documented at least 555 cases of jungle justice in Nigeria between 2012 and 2024, noting that the violence is escalating in both brutality and scope.
Legal Expert Proposes Solutions to Curb Mob Violence
Fukky Danladi Mashat, an Abuja-based lawyer, analyzed the root causes of such vigilante actions. She told the Global Voices website that the government can diminish mob violence through several key measures:
- Faster and more efficient prosecution of criminal cases.
- Grassroots education on the dangers of jungle justice.
- Strengthening accountability within law enforcement and the judiciary.
- Prioritizing swift and transparent justice.
Mashat argued that "by addressing these root causes, we can restore public trust, break the cycle of vigilante violence, and ensure true justice prevails."
The killing of Pastor Idon is not an isolated incident. Legit.ng reported a similar tragic case in Sokunkpan, Kwara State, where the Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdullahi Audu, was brutally murdered by youths who also accused him of witchcraft following the death of a young man in the community.
These repeated incidents highlight a pervasive challenge to the right to life and the rule of law in Nigeria, demanding urgent and decisive action from both authorities and community leaders.
