Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu has directed commissioners of police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to treat every case of mob action as homicide and investigate it accordingly.
Gatekeepers News reports that Disu issued the directive as he ordered a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice and other forms of mob violence.
In a video shared on the official X handle of the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP warned that no community, vigilante group or association has the legal authority to arrest, try, convict or execute anyone based on suspicion, allegations, rumours, photographs or social media evidence. (TheCable)
He described jungle justice as murder and stressed that Nigeria operates under the rule of law rather than mob rule.
Disu said the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian, including suspects, the rights to life, dignity and fair hearing, adding that mob action violates these fundamental rights.
He warned that anyone who assaults or kills a suspected criminal could face murder charges, while individuals who plan, incite, encourage or support mob attacks could also be held criminally liable. (The Sun Nigeria)
The police chief further said those involved in mob violence would be identified through video recordings, eyewitness accounts, community intelligence and forensic evidence.
He also warned that police officers could face consequences for failing to intervene when mob attacks occur.
Disu cited the March 2025 killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, as an example of the deadly consequences of mob justice.
“I have directed all commissioners of police across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT to treat every case of mob action as homicide, and they should investigate it like that,” he said.
