Mob fury in Nigeria: 16 people burned alive just on the basis of suspicion of kidnapping

16 burned alive on suspicion of kidnapping: A horrific case has come from the African nation Nigeria. A mob killed 16 on suspicion of them being kidnappers. In accordance with reports by the media, a few among the victims were burned alive after putting tyres on their shoulders and heads, as a result of which they were burned alive and were killed instantly. The victims who were killed in the incident were from the northern region of the country. It is being narrated that weapons were discovered during the search of the victims' car, because of which the mob attacked them.

Cruelty to victims

In a viral social media video, the victims are dealt with harshly and then horribly beaten and dumped into a tyre fire. This is one case among many in a rising culture of mob violence in Nigeria in the last ten years. As per a 2024 report by Amnesty International, such attacks in the southern part of the country are usually triggered by accusations of theft and witchcraft, whereas in the north there are mob murders due to charges of blasphemy.

Incidents that occurred earlier

There's massive outrage on social media following the attack. Northern Nigerian politicians widely denounced the killings. Incidentally, one must point out that these attacks have happened previously in Nigeria too. Four University of Port Harcourt students from the Rivers State capital were assaulted to death on suspicion of robbers in 2012. It was a time of widespread anger and outrage nationwide, and a heated debate had begun about the justice system. Many people are of the opinion that the victims killed in that incident never received real justice.