NPF Condemns Jungle Justice – Calls For Caution

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has condemned the dangerous and abhorrent trend of jingle Justice and cautioned the general public on consequences of such on our criminal justice administration, rule of law, and the global reputation of the country.

Gatekeepers News reports that NPF in a statement released by the force’s public relations officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi
on Sunday in Abuja, condemned the trend given the recent spate of jungle justice in some parts of the country.

The force reiterated that jungle justice, a deplorable and savage behaviour, has led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property across the country.

According to NPF; this inhuman act is a betrayal of justice and due process, which undermines the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights, and justice.

In the same instance, Police specifically condemn 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 (LGA) of Edo State on Sunday, 13th of October 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 3 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.

NPF noted that the erroneous perception of the community members that the police would set free the suspects was wrong and quite unfair, as it never intended to pervert justice in the case, more so that they have through painstaking investigation arrested 3 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 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.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., sympathized with families of the departed souls.

Egbetokun further directed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to investigate the incidents and bring those found wanting to face the full wrath of the law.

The statement added, “While the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in upholding the principles of rule of law, members of the public are urged to shun acts of jungle justice, and destruction emphasizing that it serves only to destabilize the foundation of legal authority and public safety. It is criminal, illogical, and unjustifiable, irrespective of the grievances held by the perpetrators.”