Amnesty International has urgently called on Nigerian authorities to thoroughly investigate the brutal mob killing of Pastor Dio Idon, who was lynched over allegations in Kaduna State.
The lynching occurred on Sunday, January 4, in Southern Kaduna, following the death of the pastor’s brother after a prolonged illness, which reportedly led community members to accuse Idon of causing the death through alleged witchcraft.
Idon, who served as the pastor of ECWA Ungwa Shaawa LC, Kasuwan Magani DCC, in Kaduna State until his death, was allegedly attacked by a mob that burned his body, leaving his remains reduced to ashes.
The global human rights organisation strongly condemned the incident in a statement issued on Monday, describing it as a stark illustration of the growing tendency for individuals to resort to extrajudicial violence without due process.
Amnesty International observed that mob violence poses one of the gravest threats to the right to life in Nigeria, a situation worsened by prolonged impunity in such cases.
“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,” the organisation said.
“The Nigerian authorities must investigate this incident and ensure that all those suspected of involvement—directly or indirectly—are brought to justice,” it added.
Amnesty International warned that mob justice violates fundamental human rights and urged authorities to act decisively to end the practice, stressing that all criminal allegations must be handled strictly within the framework of the law.
