The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has voiced his strong condemnation over the increasing incidents of jungle justice across Nigeria. On Sunday, October 20, 2024, Egbetokun expressed concern about the disturbing trend of mob justice, which has led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
He has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) responsible for the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to thoroughly investigate the growing menace and ensure that those involved face the full consequences of their actions.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, highlighted the tragic events that have sparked nationwide concern. One particularly alarming incident occurred in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State on October 13, 2024.
In this case, a mob stormed a local police station, killed suspects being held in custody by burning them alive, and set fire to the police station, barracks, and vehicles.
Adejobi said, “In view of the recent spate of jungle justice in some parts of the country, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned the dangerous and abhorrent trend and cautioned the general public on the consequences of such on our criminal justice administration, the rule of law and the global reputation of our dear country.
“In the same instance, the Police specifically condemns the act of arson which led to the death by burning of some suspects in police custody, and the subsequent setting ablaze of police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
“In the above case, members of the public alleged that the police were trying to pervert justice by taking into custody some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers who have been accused of terrorizing the people of the community in Edo State. The main suspect was arrested and almost lynched by the community members before he was rescued by the police.
“His arrest led the police to arrest three additional suspects. The rescue and detention of the suspects didn’t go down well with the community members, who later mobilized in large numbers and attacked the police station, killed the suspects by burning, and scorched down the station and properties therein.
“The erroneous perception of the community members that the police would set free the suspects was wrong and quite unfair, as the police never intended to pervert justice in the case, more so that they have through painstaking investigation arrested three other suspects fingered in the criminal act.”
“In another development, a police team trying to prevent the execution of jungle justice was gruesomely attacked, which led to the killing of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, attached to the Lagos State Command, by a group of violent mob on Saturday, 19th of October 2024, in Agege, Lagos State.
“The police team had raced down to the rescue of a driver who was alleged to have accidentally knocked down a motorcycle rider to death. The group of motorcycle riders pounced on the driver, who was eventually rescued by the police.
“The rescue didn’t go down well with the riders who descended on the police team and unfortunately killed the ASP instantly. These are very few cases out of many incidents recorded across the country.”
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM., sympathizes with the families of the departed souls and directs the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID to investigate these incidents and bring all persons found wanting to face the full wrath of the law.”
