At least 74 people have been killed in some of the most notorious mob violence incidents across northern Nigeria in recent years.
The brutal killings, often by youths on false or unsubstantiated allegations or perceived enemies, were carried out by crowds in their communities.
WikkiTimes reviews the timeline of 11 incidents of mob killings that rocked Northern Nigeria from 2018 to date.
13 Killed in Mangu
On June 20, 2025, at least 13 travellers were killed on their way to a wedding. They were attacked by a mob in Mangun community of Mangu LG while en route to Qua’an Pan LG in Plateau State, killed, and burned to ashes.
The 31 wedding-bound travellers, including women and children, were travelling in a bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The mob first killed the driver, then others, before burning the car. Among those killed were the groom’s father, his brothers and friends.
Police command in the state said it has arrested 22 suspects in connection with the killings. The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani said the culprits must face the full wrath of the law.
16 Hunters Killed in Edo
The Plateau state killings came just three months after 16 Hausa hunters travelling from Rivers State to Kano for the Sallah festivities were intercepted in Uromi, Edo State, and killed by a mob, with many burnt alive. The mob, comprising local vigilantes, accused the victims of being kidnappers.
The police in the state said they have arrested 14 suspects in connection with the crime.
Ningi Violence
On June 19, 2024, a mob in Nasaru community in the Ningi LG in Bauchi State killed a man identified as Yunusa after he was accused of making blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad.
According to residents, police personnel tried to save Yunusa but were overpowered by the youths who used stones and sticks to beat Yunusa to death.
WikkiTimes could not independently verify if any arrests have been made in connection with the killing. However, CSP Ahmed Wakil, the police spokesperson in the state said the Commissioner of Police condemned the actions.
Sokoto Mob Killing
Also, on June 25, 2023, Usman Buda, a butcher, was killed at an abattoir in Sokoto State, over alleged blasphemy. However, an eyewitness said he was unjustly murdered for reiterating the words of a late Bauchi-based cleric, Sheikh Idris Abdul’aziz.
During his Ramadan lecture, the cleric said he would not seek help from anyone including the Prophet except God which some described as blasphemous.
Police in the state noted that investigation was ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book. Two years after, WikkiTimes has no evidence of arrests or conviction that have been made in connection with the murder.
Sokoto College Killing
On 23 November 2022, some students at Sultan Abdurrahman College of Health Technology, Gwadabawa in Sokoto State, killed one of their colleagues, Lukman Malami, whom they accused of phone theft. The 200-level dental student hailed from the Wammako local council of the state. He was murdered by his classmates who were living in the same apartment with him outside the college premises.
WikkiTimes has no records of arrests or conviction of the perpetrators.
Harira, Children Killed in Awka
On 25 May, 2022, a pregnant woman, Harira Jubril and her four female children, Fatima, 9; Khadijah, 7; Hadiza, 5 and Zaituna, 2, were killed in Awka, Anambra State. Authorities fingered the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) responsible for the heinous act.
The Anambra State Police Command said it arrested one of the culprits, but WikkiTimes could not verify if he or any other suspect was connvicted in connection with crime.
Deborah Samuel
On 12 May 2022, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in‪ Sokoto‬ State, identified as Deborah, was burned to death by her colleagues for hurling insults against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on a WhatsApp platform. In a viral video, a group of young men lynched her with stones and other harmful objects. She would later be set ablaze by the same people.
Police arrested at least two students, the action that led to violent protests by the student and culminated to declaration of 24-hour curfew in the state capital.
Lugbe Mob Action
On 4 June 2022, a blasphemy allegation was made against Ahmad Usman (who was also known as Musa). He was lynched by a mob at the Tipper Garage in Lugbe District, Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command announced the arrest of 15 suspects.
Four Killed in Jos
Three months earlier than the blasphemy incident, on February 6, 2022, four people were killed in a roadblock in the Bida Bidi area of ​​Jos North LGA, also in Plateau, after youth in the area blocked the Zaria highway, brutally murdered them, and burned their vehicle.
WikkiTimes could not found any evidence of convictions in connection to the killings.
Another 30 Killed in Jos
On August 15, 2021, a mob in the Rukuba area of ​​Jos killed at least 30 travellers from Bauchi State to Ondo State after attending an Islamic gathering at the home of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, in Bauchi town.
Also, this medium could not ascertain if arrests had been made in connection to the killings.
Late Gen. Alkali Killed
Three years earlier, on September 30, 2018, the Nigerian Army reported the disappearance of retired General Idris Alkali on his way to Bauchi from Abuja. His body was later found in Dura-Du, Jos South also in Plateau State. His car was first discovered along with other vehicles, including a model bus, in a pond in Lafendeg in the area, where it is alleged that travellers are killed and their vehicles are thrown into it, so that they disappear without a trace.
Nigerian Army paraded 13 suspects in connection with the murder of Alkali and handed them over to police. Seven more suspects later paraded by the command.
The suspects were later arraigned in the Plateau State High Court for allegedly being complicit in the death of the Army General. The court had in later granted bail to the suspects.
WikkiTimes reports that out of these killings, there was no single conviction that can be found to have been carried out.
Other Mob Killings
Amnesty International recorded at least 555 victims of mob violence from 363 documented incidents were across Nigeria between January 2012 to August 2023. Over the period, 57 people were killed by violent mobs; 32 were burnt alive, 2 people were buried alive, while 23 people were tortured to death.
“The menace of mob violence is perhaps one of the biggest threats to the right to life in Nigeria. The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to uphold and fulfil their obligation to protect people from harm and violence,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Sunusi added that the failure of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Police Force, to prevent mob violence, investigate allegations of torture and killings, and bring suspected perpetrators to justice, is empowering mobs to kill. According to him, the problem is compounded by weak and corrupt legal institutions and systems.
Whenever such killings were reported, the authorities promised to take action to punish the perpetrators. But over the years, no tangible action has been taken by authorities against the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.
