IGP Disu declares jungle justice murder, orders nationwide crackdown

Inspector-General of Police Addresses Growing Issue of Mob Justice in Nigeria

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against engaging in mob justice, asserting that individuals who assault or kill suspects in such instances will be charged with murder.

In a video that has gained widespread attention, Disu emphasized that mob actions can no longer be justified as community responses. He stated that those involved in these acts could face the death penalty under Nigerian law.

“Anyone who assaults or summarily executes a suspected criminal in the name of mob action is guilty of murder. The punishment for murder is death,” Disu declared.

The police chief also indicated that individuals who incite, organize, film, or share videos of mob attacks, or who obstruct police intervention, may be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit murder. This offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Disu announced that he has directed Commissioners of Police across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every incident of mob justice as a homicide. He instructed that comprehensive investigations should be conducted using all available forensic and intelligence resources.

“We will not spare anyone involved in mob action. A thorough investigation will be conducted, and we will bring them to court,” he affirmed.

This directive follows rising concerns over extrajudicial killings, highlighted by the recent death of 25-year-old Ibrahim Mbaya, a University of Jos graduate, who was reportedly beaten to death after being accused of stealing an iPhone 12.

The Nigeria Police have urged citizens to report suspects to law enforcement rather than resorting to violence.

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