What Happened
A brutal assault occurred at Delta State University, where two young male students were viciously beaten by a crowd of fellow students who accused them of being gay. The horrifying incident was captured on video and quickly circulated on TikTok and Instagram. In the clips, the victims are hunted, dragged forcefully outside, and whipped with sticks and belts while onlookers jeer, record, and in some cases encourage the violence.
Social Media Response
Even more alarming than the attack itself was the online reaction. Some viewers cheered the violence, with comments like:
> “Shey una kpai the two guys sha? (I hope you people killed the two of them?)”
“I wish I was there. It’s been ages since I assaulted gay men.”
This supports the normalization of mob justice and hate through digital platforms.
Legal & Cultural Context
Nigeria criminalizes same-sex relations under the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, including banning any public display of same-sex affection, with penalties up to 14 years in prison. In some northern states under Sharia law, homosexuality can incur a death sentence.
Impunity and Escalating Violence
Authorities have remained silent. No official statement, arrests, or protections have emerged following the incident. Human rights groups warn that such mob violence—often recorded and shared—is increasingly common and largely unpunished.
The Broader Epidemic of Mob Justice (or "Jungle Justice") in Nigeria
Nationwide Statistics
Amnesty International reports that between 2012 and August 2023, there were 363 documented mob violence incidents, resulting in at least 555 victims. Among these, 57 were killed—32 burnt alive, 23 tortured to death, and 2 buried alive—with many survivors injured severely.
Common Drivers
Mobs typically target individuals accused—often baselessly—of crimes like theft, blasphemy, witchcraft, or moral transgressions when trust in law enforcement is low. These incidents can be triggered by rumor, religious fervor, or ethnic tension.
Gruesome Examples
Aluu Four (2012): Four university students falsely accused of robbery were stripped, beaten, “necklaced” (a car tire filled with petrol placed around their necks and set alight), and killed. The atrocity was filmed and circulated widely. Eventually, a few individuals—including a police officer—were sentenced to death, but many others evaded justice.
Blasphemy Killings:
Deborah Samuel Yakubu (2022): A college student in Sokoto was lynched by peers for alleged blasphemy—stoned, burned, and filmed. Though arrests were made, no prosecutions followed.
Usman Buda (2023): Another mob lynching for alleged blasphemy in Sokoto—equally unpunished.
Edo State Massacre (March 2025): Sixteen Hausa hunters falsely accused of kidnapping were beaten and set on fire by a mob in Uromi, Edo State. Videos spread online. Fourteen suspects were arrested; authorities vowed to prosecute.
Recent Bus Attack (2025): A mob killed at least 12 passengers aboard a bus in Plateau State. Twenty-two suspects were arrested, and authorities pledged legal action.
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