KATSINA — A tragic case of mob justice unfolded in Katsayal village, Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State, as two brothers, Gaddafi Isah (35) and Badamasi Isah (30), were lynched over allegations of livestock theft.
The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation, was revealed by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who posted details on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
According to Makama, intelligence reports indicated that the two men had taken their father’s car to the outskirts of the village to practice driving when they were confronted by a mob who accused them of stealing livestock.
“The mob surrounded the two young men and beat them severely. Despite the intervention of security forces who rushed them to a nearby Community Health Centre in Sandamu, they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” Makama wrote.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle the victims were driving was also vandalized during the attack. The motive behind the accusations remains unclear, with no confirmed reports of livestock theft from local authorities at the time of the incident.
The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation, with efforts underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the fatal attack.
When The PUNCH contacted police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu, calls were unanswered, and a text message sent to his line had not been replied to as of press time.
This incident adds to the growing list of mob justice cases in Northern Nigeria, raising concerns over public trust in legal institutions and the rule of law.
Human rights advocates are calling for urgent reforms and public education to discourage extra-judicial actions and ensure accused individuals receive fair trials.
“It’s heartbreaking that two innocent lives could be taken so brutally over unverified claims. We must reinforce community trust in law enforcement to end this dangerous trend,” said a civil society leader in Katsina who asked not to be named.
Authorities are urging residents to allow due process and report suspicions to security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.