The former Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has led a delegation of Christian clerics and youth leaders f...
The former Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister 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, a Muslim woman who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.
The delegation, which included prominent Christian religious leaders, representatives of Northern Christian youth organizations, and peace advocates, visited the bereaved family to express their heartfelt condolences, offer prayers for the deceased, and demonstrate solidarity with the family during their time of grief.
The visit, according to members of the delegation, was also 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 and painful reminder of the dangers of mob violence and jungle justice.
He said no society can achieve lasting peace and development where innocent lives are taken outside the provisions of the law.
He stressed that every Nigerian deserves the constitutional right to a fair hearing and that no individual or group has the authority to act as judge, jury, and executioner.
"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," Dalung said.
The former minister called on the Kaduna State Government, security agencies, and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He further appealed to citizens, particularly young people across the 19 Northern states, 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 reflected the commitment of Northern Christian leaders to stand with victims of injustice, regardless of their religious affiliation.
He noted that several Christian clerics travelled from different parts of Northern Nigeria to identify with the bereaved family, describing the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
According to Pastor Buru, every religion teaches the sanctity of human life, compassion, forgiveness, and justice.
"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," he said.
He urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, 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, called on youths across the region to reject jungle justice and avoid actions capable of threatening the peaceful coexistence that binds communities together.
He emphasized that disagreements and allegations should always be handled through lawful channels, adding that violence only deepens divisions and undermines national unity.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mallam Aliyu, husband of the late Malamah Ummulkhairi, expressed profound appreciation to the delegation for their compassion, prayers, and solidarity.
He said the visit had brought comfort to the grieving family and demonstrated that people of different faiths can unite in moments of sorrow and stand together against injustice.
The condolence visit concluded with special prayers for the repose of the deceased, prayers for her family, and renewed calls for justice, accountability, and sustained interfaith cooperation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The delegation reaffirmed that protecting human life and promoting justice remain shared responsibilities for all Nigerians, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
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