Amnesty International warns that mob violence in Nigeria endangers citizens’ right to life.

Amnesty International has expressed deep concern about the increasing frequency of mob violence in Nigeria, calling it one of the most significant threats to the right to life in the country.

The organization made the statement in a post shared on its official X account on Sunday, criticizing the authorities’ failure to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these killings.

Amnesty argues that the persistent occurrence of mob attacks, coupled with a lack of accountability, reveals a serious gap in Nigeria’s justice system.

“The menace of mob violence is perhaps one of the biggest threats to the right to life in Nigeria,” the organization said.

It added that the problem has continued for years, with very few cases resulting in arrests or convictions.

“The fact that these killings have been happening for a long time, with few cases investigated and prosecuted, highlights the authorities’ shocking failure to protect people from harm and violence,” it stated.

Amnesty also noted that the nature of mob violence varies across different regions of Nigeria.

In the southern part of the country, such attacks are often directed at people accused of theft, ritual activities, or witchcraft.

In the northern region, the organization observed that mob violence is largely aimed at individuals accused of blasphemy, sometimes with the support of religious figures.

It called on authorities to take decisive steps to protect citizens, conduct thorough investigations, and bring perpetrators to justice.