Nigeria’s police have expressed concern about the spate of jungle justice in some parts of the country, warning of its implications for the criminal justice system, the rule of law and its global reputation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACPOlumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
Adejobi condemned the jungle justice trend in the country, describing it as “deplorable and brutal behavior.”
A police spokesman said the act led to tragic loss of life and destruction of property across the country.
He said the inhumane act constituted a betrayal of justice and due process, undermining the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights and justice.
Adejobi said the Nigerian Police has also condemned the act of arson in some parts of the country.
He said the act led to the deaths of some suspects in police custody and the burning of police barracks, patrol cars and the Edo Police Station.
According to him, in the above case, public opinion accused the police of trying to pervert justice by detaining suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, accused of terrorizing the community.
“The main suspect was arrested and almost lynched by some members of the community before he was rescued by police, and his arrest led to the arrest of three additional suspects.”
“The rescue and detention of the suspects was not well received by some community members who later mobilized in large numbers.
“They attacked the police station, killed the suspects by burning them, the station and the property therein,” he said.
Adejobi said the misconception among community members that the police would release the suspects was wrong and unfair.
He said that the police never intended to pervert justice in the case, adding that following painstaking investigation, three other suspects were arrested in connection with the above act.
According to him, in Lagos State, a police team trying to prevent the execution of a sentence in the jungle was attacked.
Adejobi said a mob attack that took place on October 19 in Agege area of Lagos State led to the killing of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupaya, serving as the Police Command in the state.
He said a police team rushed to the rescue of a driver who had allegedly hit a motorcyclist.
A police spokesman said a group of motorcyclists attacked the driver, who was eventually rescued by police.
“The operation did not go well with the riders, who rushed to the police and unfortunately immediately killed the ASP.
“These are very few cases out of many reported across the country,” he added.
He said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed condolences to the families of the departed souls.
Adejobi said the IG had directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division (FCID) to investigate the incidents.
He said the idea was for all people caught wanting to do so to face the full wrath of the law.
