Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has pledged that the state government will take responsibility for the welfare of the family of the late Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, who was lynched by a mob at Maraban Jos along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway.
The governor made the pledge on Saturday during a condolence visit to the deceased’s family, assuring them that his administration would provide for her husband and four children, including sponsoring the children’s education.
Ms Ummulkhairi, an Islamic teacher, was brutally killed two weeks ago after a mob accused her of attempting to kidnap children. Her body was subsequently set ablaze in the Maraban Jos community of Igabi Local Government Area.
Condemning the mob action, Governor Sani described the killing as barbaric and vowed that all those responsible would face the full weight of the law.
He explained that although he was out of the state on an official assignment when the incident occurred, he immediately directed senior government officials to visit the bereaved family and convey his condolences.
“I have been working closely with the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies to ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice,” the governor said.
According to him, investigations have made significant progress.
“As we speak, about 41 persons have been charged with culpable homicide. Another 41 suspects have been investigated, while 30 others have been charged with unlawful assembly,” he disclosed.
Governor Sani stressed that every individual found to have participated in the killing would be prosecuted regardless of their status, saying the government was determined to ensure justice and deter future incidents of mob violence.
He also called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of security personnel who responded to the incident, particularly the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Maraban Jos, to determine whether there was any negligence or complicity.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives of all residents and ensuring that no one takes the law into their own hands.