Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has 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, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.
The delegation, comprising prominent Christian religious leaders, representatives of Northern Christian youth organisations and peace advocates, visited the bereaved family to express sympathy, offer prayers for the deceased and demonstrate solidarity during their period of mourning.
The visit, members of the delegation said, was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, interfaith harmony and respect for the sanctity of human life, irrespective of religion or ethnic background.
Speaking during the visit, Barrister Dalung described the killing as a tragic reminder of the dangers of mob violence and jungle justice, stressing that no society can achieve lasting peace and development when innocent lives are taken outside the provisions of the law.
He maintained that every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional right to a fair hearing and that no individual or group has the authority to take the law into its own hands.
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 calm, reject violence and continue to promote peace, unity and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
Also speaking, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Kaduna, said the visit demonstrated the commitment of Northern Christian leaders to stand with victims of injustice regardless of their religious affiliation.
He noted that Christian clerics from different parts of Northern Nigeria participated in the condolence visit, describing the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
Pastor Buru said all religions uphold the sanctity of human life and 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.
Similarly, the National Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Christian Youth Professionals, Mr. Isaak Abrak, urged youths across the region to reject jungle justice and embrace lawful means of resolving disputes, warning that violence only deepens divisions and undermines national unity.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mallam Aliyu, husband of the deceased, thanked the delegation for its compassion, prayers and solidarity, saying the visit had brought comfort to the family and demonstrated that people of different faiths can unite against injustice.
The condolence visit ended with prayers for the repose of the deceased, comfort for her family and renewed calls for justice, accountability and sustained interfaith cooperation to prevent similar incidents in the future.