Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Amnesty International has strongly condemned the mob killing of Pastor Dio Idon, who was brutally lynched by a crowd in Southern Kaduna after being accused of witchcraft, calling the incident a glaring example of rising mob violence and “jungle justice” in parts of the country. Human rights advocates are demanding a full investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The tragic killing occurred on Sunday, 4 January 2026, in Southern Kaduna when members of the pastor’s community turned on him in the wake of his brother’s death. According to reports, some residents erroneously attributed the prolonged illness and death of the pastor’s brother to supernatural causes, alleging that Pastor Idon was responsible through alleged witchcraft. This accusation quickly escalated into violence, culminating in a mob attack that left the pastor dead and his remains reportedly burned to ashes by the crowd.
Until his death, Pastor Dio Idon was serving as clergyman at ECWA Ungwan Shaawa LC in Kasuwan Magani within Kaduna State, where he was known in the community for his religious leadership. His killing has sparked deep concern among religious figures, civil society groups and rights advocates who say the incident underscores a broader pattern of extrajudicial and superstitious-driven violence particularly in rural communities across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on behalf of the organisation, Amnesty International described the incident as “a disturbing example of how people increasingly take law into their hands and carry out so-called ‘jungle justice’.” The group emphasised that accusations of witchcraft, theft or other perceived offences should never justify summary execution or mob retaliation and urged authorities to treat the killing as a gross human rights violation.
Amnesty criticised not only the act itself but also what it called the systemic failure by authorities to prevent such violence or hold perpetrators to account. “Mob killings remain one of the gravest threats to the right to life in Nigeria,” the organisation said, noting that such acts violate both domestic law and international human rights obligations.
The human rights body called on Nigerian authorities to launch a thorough and independent investigation, prosecute all those involved — directly or indirectly — and ensure justice is served for Pastor Idon. Amnesty also urged the federal and state governments to implement concrete measures to curb mob justice trends and reinforce the primacy of law enforcement over vigilante retribution.
Incidents of mob violence linked to allegations of witchcraft, blasphemy or other alleged offences have been documented across Nigeria, often occurring in rural areas with limited access to formal justice mechanisms. Rights groups have for years warned that such violence both reflects and fuels deep mistrust in formal law enforcement, as well as widespread belief in supernatural causation for unexplained deaths and misfortunes.
The killing of Pastor Idon has reignited calls from community leaders, religious organisations and civil society to address the underlying factors that contribute to mob justice, including lack of trust in the legal system, limited law enforcement presence in remote areas, and the persistence of harmful beliefs that lead to fatal outcomes. Human rights advocates stress that without targeted interventions to strengthen the rule of law and community education, incidents like this will continue to undermine public safety and social cohesion.
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