Anyone involved in mob attacks or the killing of criminal suspects will face prosecution, as the Nigeria Police intensifies its crackdown on jungle justice across the country.
Inspector General of Police, Tunde Disu, has directed Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT to treat every case of mob action as homicide and conduct full-scale investigations. Disu warned that criminal liability extends beyond those who physically attack victims to individuals who mobilise crowds, incite violence or obstruct police intervention.
“Anybody who assaults or summarily executes a suspected criminal in the name of mob action is guilty of murder”, the IGP said.
He also warned that those who record and circulate footage of mob attacks could face prosecution where their actions amount to participation or conspiracy.
“I have directed all the Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, to treat every case of mob action as homicide”, Disu said.
The police chief urged Nigerians to stop taking the law into their own hands and instead hand suspected criminals over to the authorities for proper investigation and prosecution.
He said the police would deploy forensic and intelligence tools to ensure those responsible for mob violence are identified and brought to justice.
