KEY POINTS

• The husband of Ummulkhairi Muhammad alleges that a police officer returned his wife to a mob shortly before she was lynched and burnt in Kaduna.
• He claimed the victim sought refuge at a police station but was allegedly ordered out and handed back to her attackers.
• Kaduna Police have arrested and arraigned 24 suspects on charges including conspiracy, public disturbance and culpable homicide.

The husband of Ummulkhairi Muhammad, the woman who was lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, has alleged that police officers failed to protect her and instead returned her to the crowd that eventually killed her.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, monitored in Kaduna, Aliyu Muhammad recounted the events leading up to the tragic death of his wife, who was accused by some residents of child theft.

Aliyu said he and his wife had been married for 14 years and were blessed with four children—two boys and two girls. He described the day of the incident as a normal one that began without any indication of the tragedy that would later unfold.

According to him, the couple exchanged greetings before leaving home for their daily activities. His wife had informed him that she intended to attend a religious lecture at Malama Mardiyya’s Islamiyya school, while he proceeded to his mechanic workshop.

“When I was leaving for work that morning, she told me they had a religious lecture at Malama Mardiyya’s Islamiyya school. I then left for my mechanic workshop,” he said.

Aliyu also revealed that he had experienced a troubling sense of anxiety days before the incident, although he never discussed it with his wife.

He said he had repeatedly felt that something unfortunate might happen but could not explain the source of the feeling.

“Two days before her death, I kept feeling uneasy, as if something bad was going to happen, but I did not tell her,” he said.

Allegations Against Police Officer

The grieving husband alleged that after being attacked by an angry mob, Ummulkhairi sought refuge at a police station in an effort to escape her attackers.

However, he claimed that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) allegedly removed her hijab and ordered her out of the station, effectively sending her back to the crowd.

According to Aliyu, she was subsequently attacked by the mob, beaten and set ablaze.

The allegation has intensified public concern surrounding the incident and raised questions about the circumstances leading to the woman’s death.

The killing sparked widespread condemnation across the country after a video showing the attack circulated on social media.

The footage triggered outrage from civil society groups, religious organisations and members of the public, many of whom demanded justice for the victim and a thorough investigation into the incident.

The case has also renewed concerns over mob justice and the growing trend of individuals taking the law into their own hands instead of allowing security agencies and the courts to handle criminal allegations.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and arraignment of 24 individuals in connection with the killing.

The suspects were brought before a Magistrate Court sitting at NDA Junction in Kaduna and charged with multiple offences.

According to the police, the charges include criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, destruction of public and police property, mischief and culpable homicide.

Authorities have not publicly responded to the husband’s allegations against the DPO, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.