NIGERIA Being a thief in Nigeria is life-threatening. Locals mostly do not rely on the official state justice system but take justice into their own hands, which is often very harsh and can include death penalties. Minor thefts can result in beatings or limb amputations. Larger-scale thefts can lead to being burned alive or stoned to death.
Nigeria is often criticized by international human rights organizations for practicing street justice. The Nigerian government is actively trying to fight it, but it is a battle that is won very slowly. It is necessary to change people’s mentality while also reducing corruption and increasing trust in state justice. Currently, there are efforts to educate the population through preventive programs and social media campaigns.
