Abuja, Nigeria (AP) – A mob in southern Nigeria killed 16 people, at least some on fire, officials said on Friday, as the tires were forced to raise their heads and shoulders, at least some were on fire because they were believed to be kidnappers.
The victim in the northern part of the country was killed in the Uromi area of Edo Prefecture after being stopped by local security personnel. Edo police spokesman Moses Yamu said in a statement that while searching the vehicles, police discovered locally made weapons and triggered a mob attack.
Videos shared on social media show the victims were burned before they ended up on fire due to worn-out wheels.
Over the past decade, mob violence in Nigeria has sensation. Although attacks in the South are often associated with allegations of theft and witchcraft, attacks in the North have increased in allegations of provoked blasphemy, according to a 2024 Amnesty International report.
In 2022, Lagos-based research group SBM Intelligence said at least 391 people in Africa’s most populous countries have killed mobs since 2019.
Yamu said ten of a group of travelers were rescued from Thursday’s attack, which also left two injured and hospitalized.
A police spokesman said 14 suspects related to the attack were arrested.
During the visit, the Edo State government said on Monday that the perpetrators will face full anger from the law.
“No one has the right to take another person’s life,” Governor’s representative Solomon Osaghale said in a statement.
The attack sparked outrage from social media, with politicians from the north condemning the killings.
In 2012, four students from the capital of River State and one of the Nigerian oil-producing areas were lynched after falsely alleged of armed robbers.
At that time, the attacks sparked national anger and sparked protests and debates about the country’s judicial system. Many people believe that the victims have never been justice.
