The Nigeria Police Force has raised concern at the spate of jungle justice in parts of the country, cautioning against its consequences on criminal justice administration, rule of law and global reputation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Adejobi condemned the trend of jungle justice in the country, describing it as “a deplorable and savage behaviour”.
The police spokesperson said the act had led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties across the country.
He said that the inhuman act was a betrayal of justice and due process, which undermined the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights and justice.
Adejobi said that the Nigeria Police also condemned the act of arson in some parts of the country.
He said the act led to the death by burning of some suspects in police custody and the setting ablaze of police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station in Edo.
According to him, in the above case, the public alleged that the police were trying to pervert justice by taking into custody, some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, accused of terrorising the community.
“The main suspect was arrested and almost lynched by some community members before he was rescued by the police and his arrest led to the arrest of three additional suspects.”
`The rescue and detention of the suspects did not go down well with some members of the community, who later mobilised in large numbers.
“They attacked the police station, killed the suspects by burning them and the station as well as properties therein,” he said.
Adejobi said the erroneous perception of members of the community that the police would set free the suspects was wrong and unfair.
He said the police never intended to pervert justice in the case, adding that through painstaking investigation, three other suspects were arrested over the said act.
According to him, in another development, a police team trying to prevent the execution of jungle justice was attacked in Lagos State.
Adejobi said the attack by a mob on Oct. 19 in Agege area of Lagos State led to the killing of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, attached to the police command in the state.
He said the police team went to rescue a driver, who was alleged to have accidentally knocked down a motorcycle rider.
The Police spokesperson said a group of motorcyclists 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.
“These are very few cases out of many incidences recorded across the country,” he said.
He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, had condoled with the families of the departed souls.
Adejobi said the I-G had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), to investigate the incidences.
He said the idea was to bring all persons found wanting to face the full wrath of the law.