IGP Disu Warns Against Jungle Justice, Says Mob Attacks Will Be Treated As Homicide

Inspector-General of Police Tunde Disu has ordered a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice and mob violence, warning that anyone involved in attacking or killing suspected criminals outside the law will face prosecution.

Disu issued the warning in a video message shared on social media, amid concerns over increasing cases of extrajudicial killings and videos showing alleged mob attacks across the country.

The police chief said those who take part in such attacks could face serious criminal charges under Nigerian law.

“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 also warned that liability could extend beyond those who physically attack victims. According to him, people who organise or encourage mob violence, block police intervention, or record and circulate footage of such attacks could face charges of conspiracy.

Disu said he had directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the FCT to treat every case of mob action as homicide and conduct full investigations using forensic and intelligence resources.

“We are not going to spare anybody who is involved in mob action,” he said, adding that suspects would be prosecuted and brought before the courts.