NPF condemns jungle justice, urges public to uphold rule of law
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strongly condemned the rising trend of jungle justice across the country, describing it as a destructive and inhumane practice that undermines the rule of law and the nation’s criminal justice system.
The Police have called on the public to exercise caution and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, warning that such actions are harmful to Nigeria’s global reputation.
In a press statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF expressed concern over the devastating effects of mob justice, which has led to numerous deaths and destruction of property. The statement emphasized that jungle justice betrays the core principles of human rights and due process, thereby destabilizing the country’s justice administration.
The Police specifically condemned a recent incident in Agenebode, Edo State, where a group of enraged community members burned to death several suspects who had been taken into police custody on allegations of kidnapping and armed robbery.
The violent mob also set ablaze the Divisional Police Station, patrol vans, and police barracks in the area. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, October 13, 2024, after community members accused the police of attempting to shield the suspects from justice.
According to the NPF, the mob’s perception that the police intended to release the suspects was unfounded and unfair, as officers had arrested three additional individuals linked to the crime after a thorough investigation. The Police stressed that their intention was to ensure a fair and lawful trial for the suspects, not to subvert justice.
In another incident, jungle justice claimed the life of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, who was brutally murdered by a violent mob in Agege, Lagos State, on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
The officer, attached to the Lagos State Command, was part of a police team dispatched to rescue a driver accused of accidentally killing a motorcycle rider. Despite the police rescuing the driver, angry motorcycle riders attacked the officers, leading to the tragic death of ASP Osupayi.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, expressed his condolences to the families of those affected by these senseless acts of violence. He has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to launch a full investigation into the incidents and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
The NPF urged the public to reject mob justice, noting that it not only disrupts public safety but also undermines legal authority. The Police reiterated that jungle justice is a criminal act and implored Nigerians to trust the judicial process to address grievances and ensure justice is served.
