IGP Disu Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Jungle Justice, Says Mob Killers Face Murder Charges

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunde Disu, has warned Nigerians against jungle justice and mob action, declaring that anyone who assaults or kills a suspect outside the law will face prosecution for murder.

Disu said the directive was necessary to curb the rising cases of extrajudicial killings across the country.

In a video circulating on social media, the police chief cited relevant provisions of Nigerian law and directed police commands nationwide to treat cases of mob action as homicide.

‘Mob Killers Are Guilty of Murder’

Disu said Nigerians had no legal right to take suspected criminals into their own hands, stressing that mob action could no longer be justified as community justice.

According to him, Sections 319 of the Criminal Code and 221 of the Penal Code provide for the punishment of murder.

He said:

> “Anybody who assaults or summarily executes a suspected criminal in the name of mob action is guilty of murder. And the punishment for murder is death.”

The IGP also warned that criminal liability could extend to people who plan, incite or encourage mob attacks.

He said those who mobilise crowds, obstruct police officers from intervening or encourage attacks could also face prosecution for conspiracy.

Those Filming Mob Attacks Also Warned

Disu specifically cautioned people who record and circulate footage of mob attacks, as well as those who mobilise crowds or prevent the police from rescuing suspects.

He said:

> “Those who video the event and circulate them, those who take pictures and circulate them, and those who mobilize the crowd, or those who block the police from intervening, all of them are liable.”

The police chief said such individuals could be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit murder, which he said carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Nationwide Directive to Police Commands

Disu disclosed that he had directed Commissioners of Police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every case of mob action as homicide.

He ordered full-scale investigations using forensic and intelligence capabilities available to the police.

> “We are not going to spare anybody who is involved in mob action. We will do a thorough investigation and we will charge them to court,” he said.

He added that the police would prosecute suspects and ensure that justice was served.

Warning Comes After Recent Mob Killings

The IGP’s warning follows the circulation of disturbing videos showing alleged mob attacks in different parts of the country.

One recent case involved 25-year-old University of Jos graduate Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee, who was reportedly assaulted in Jos on July 26 after being accused of stealing an iPhone 12.

Police have arrested some suspects in connection with his death.

The circulation of videos showing people being beaten or attacked by crowds has also renewed concerns over the prevalence of jungle justice in Nigeria.

Police Urge Nigerians to Avoid Jungle Justice

Jungle justice remains a recurring problem in Nigeria and is often linked to public distrust of law enforcement and concerns over delays in the criminal justice system.

Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for perpetrators of mob violence to be prosecuted while urging authorities to improve the speed and effectiveness of criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The Nigeria Police Force urged members of the public to hand suspected criminals over to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.