IGP Disu Warns Against Jungle Justice, Says Mob Killings Are Homicide
Inspector-General of Police Tunde Disu has issued a strong warning against jungle justice and mob attacks, declaring that anyone who assaults or kills a suspected criminal outside the law could face prosecution for murder.
Disu said the Nigeria Police Force would no longer tolerate people taking the law into their own hands, stressing that suspected criminals must be handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.
According to the police chief, a person who attacks or summarily executes a suspect as part of a mob is committing murder. He cited relevant provisions of Nigerian law and warned that murder carries the death penalty under the provisions he referenced.
Disu also warned that criminal responsibility could extend beyond those who physically attack a victim. He said people who organise or encourage mob attacks, block police officers from intervening, or facilitate such incidents could also face prosecution for conspiracy.
The IGP specifically warned against recording and circulating footage of mob attacks where such actions amount to facilitating or encouraging the crime. He said those involved could face serious criminal consequences.
As part of the new directive, Disu said he had instructed Commissioners of Police across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every case of mob action as a homicide and conduct full investigations using forensic and intelligence tools.
“We are not going to spare anybody who is involved in mob action,” the police chief said, stressing that suspects would be investigated and prosecuted in court.
The warning comes amid growing concern over videos of alleged mob attacks circulating on social media. One recent case that generated widespread outrage was the killing of 25-year-old University of Jos graduate Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee, who was reportedly attacked in Jos after being accused of stealing an iPhone. Police have arrested suspects in connection with his death.
Disu urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to administer punishment themselves, saying suspected offenders should instead be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
The police directive is aimed at curbing extrajudicial killings and reinforcing the principle that criminal allegations must be determined through due process rather than mob action.
