IGP Tunde Disu Orders Police to Treat Jungle Justice as Homicide

Inspector General of Police Tunde Disu has warned Nigerians against jungle justice, declaring that anyone involved in the assault or killing of a suspected criminal through mob action will be treated as a murder suspect.

Disu said the Nigeria Police would no longer tolerate extrajudicial killings, as he directed police commands across the country to investigate every case of mob action as homicide.

The IGP made the declaration in a viral video monitored by Vanguard, in which he cited provisions of Nigerian law and outlined fresh directives issued to Commissioners of Police nationwide.

His warning comes against the backdrop of a growing number of videos circulating online that allegedly show mobs attacking people accused of committing crimes.

Among the incidents that have raised concern was the killing of 25-year-old University of Jos graduate Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee. Mbaya was reportedly attacked in Jos on July 26 after being accused of stealing an iPhone 12. Police have arrested suspects in connection with his death.

‘Jungle Justice Is Murder’

Disu made it clear that mob action cannot be defended as an alternative form of justice.

According to him, Nigerians who attack or kill suspects outside the legal process risk facing murder charges under existing laws.

“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,” Disu said.

He further stated: “Section 319 of the Criminal Code and Section 221 of the Penal Code, both prescribe the death penalty for murder in Nigeria.”

The police chief also warned that those who support or facilitate mob violence could be prosecuted.

Citing Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Disu said people who conspire, mobilise crowds, encourage attacks or prevent police officers from intervening could be held criminally responsible.

“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.

“They are guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. And the punishment for that is 14 years imprisonment.”

Commissioners Directed to Act

The IGP said the directive covers all 36 states and the FCT.

“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,” he said.

Disu also ordered the police to deploy forensic and intelligence capabilities in investigating such cases.

“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.

“We will prosecute them and we will make sure that justice is done. There’s no exception to this.”

The police boss subsequently appealed to members of the public to resist the temptation to punish suspects themselves and instead hand them over to law enforcement agencies.

Social Media Videos Raise Alarm

The IGP’s statement followed the circulation of disturbing footage allegedly showing mob attacks in various locations.

Among the videos were scenes of groups beating individuals in residential areas, a clip labelled “Live in Ekosodin Uniben” with the word “Thief,” and footage showing crowds gathered around a boat near a riverbank.

Other clips, many of them shaky and distressing, were shared widely on social media, with crying emojis and other reactions reflecting public outrage.

Long-Standing Problem

Jungle justice has remained a persistent challenge in Nigeria, with public frustration sometimes driven by distrust in the criminal justice system and concerns over delays in the prosecution of suspects.

Human rights organisations have consistently advocated swift prosecution of people involved in mob killings and those who encourage or facilitate such violence.

The latest police directive signals a tougher approach, with mob killings now to receive the investigative attention given to homicide cases.

The Nigeria Police urged citizens to report suspected criminals to the appropriate authorities and allow law enforcement agencies to handle the matter according to the law.

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