BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, on Sunday led a delegation of Christian clerics and youth leaders from the 19 Northern states on a condolence visit to the family of the late Malamah Ummulkhairi, the Muslim woman allegedly lynched by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.
The delegation, comprising Christian religious leaders, representatives of Northern Christian youth organisations and peace advocates, visited the bereaved family to offer condolences, pray for the deceased and express solidarity with the family.
Members of the delegation said the visit was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, interfaith harmony and respect for the sanctity of human life, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
Speaking during the visit, Dalung described the killing as tragic and condemned mob action and jungle justice, saying no society could attain lasting peace where lives are taken outside the law.
He said every Nigerian is entitled to a fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution and warned against individuals taking the law into their own hands.
“Humanity must always come first. We must value every human life regardless of religion, ethnicity or social status. Together, we can build a society where justice is pursued through lawful institutions and not through violence,” he said.
Dalung urged the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He also appealed to citizens, particularly young people across Northern Nigeria, to remain peaceful and continue to promote unity and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
Also speaking, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Kaduna, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, said the visit underscored the commitment of Northern Christian leaders to stand with victims of injustice irrespective of their religious background.
He said Christian clerics from different parts of Northern Nigeria joined the visit because the incident was heartbreaking and unacceptable.
According to him, all religions uphold the sanctity of human life and promote compassion, justice and forgiveness.
“As religious leaders, we have a responsibility to speak against every form of violence and injustice. Taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable and must be condemned by all peace-loving Nigerians,” Buru said.
He called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and community leaders to intensify campaigns against mob violence while promoting dialogue, tolerance and peaceful conflict resolution.
The National Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Christian Youth Professionals, Mr. Isaak Abrak, also urged youths across the region to reject jungle justice and embrace lawful means of resolving disputes.
He said violence only fuels division and undermines peaceful coexistence.
Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s husband, Mallam Aliyu, thanked the delegation for the visit, prayers and support.
He said the gesture had brought comfort to the family and demonstrated that Nigerians of different faiths could unite in moments of grief and stand together against injustice.
The visit ended with prayers for the repose of the deceased and renewed calls for justice, accountability and sustained interfaith cooperation to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
