The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has strongly condemned the rising cases of jungle justice across Nigeria. In a statement issued on Sunday, Egbetokun ordered an immediate investigation into these incidents, directing the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to take action.
Egbetokun’s condemnation comes in the wake of several recent incidents where mobs have taken the law into their own hands, resulting in the death of police officers and destruction of police property. One such incident occurred in Edo State on October 13, where a mob attacked a police station, burnt some suspects to death, and set ablaze police barracks, patrol vans, and the Divisional Police Station in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area.
In another incident in Agege, Lagos, on October 19, a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, was killed by a mob while trying to prevent the execution of jungle justice. The police team had intervened to rescue a driver who was attacked by motorcycle riders after accidentally knocking down a rider.
The police have cautioned the public about the dangers of jungle justice, highlighting its negative impact on the criminal justice system, the rule of law, and the country’s global reputation. Egbetokun sympathized with the families of the victims and directed the DIG FCID to investigate these incidents and bring all persons found guilty to face the full wrath of the law.
