By Abdulfatah Babatunde
The Nigeria Police Force has cautioned the general public against rampant jungle justice in part of the country, warning about its consequences on Nigeria’s criminal justice administration.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi gave the warning in a statement circulated to newsmen on Sunday.
Adejobi said a recent spate of jungle justice would have grave consequences on our criminal justice administration, the rule of law and the global reputation of Nigeria.
“The Police reiterates that jungle justice is a deplorable and savage behaviour. It has led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property across the country.
“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,” the statement read in part.
The Police, specifically, condemn the act of arson which led to the death by burning of some suspects in police custody.
According to the statement, this led to the subsequent setting ablaze of police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station.
The act of arson occurred in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Adejobi noted that in the Edo case, residents alleged that the Police were trying to pervert justice by taking into custody some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.
Residents accused the suspects of terrorising the people of the community in Edo State.
According to him, they apprehended the main suspect and almost lynched him before the Police intervened.
“His arrest led the Police to arrest three additional suspects.
“The rescue and detention of the suspects didn’t go down well with the community members. They later mobilised in large numbers and attacked the police station.
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“They killed the suspects by burning him and torched down the station and properties therein.
“This perception of members of the community that the police would set the suspects free is wrong and quite unfair.
“This is because the Police never intended to pervert justice in the case. More so that they have through painstaking investigation arrested three other suspects fingered in the criminal act.”
In another development, an angry mob gruesomely attached a police team, trying to prevent the execution of jungle justice, in Lagos.
“This mob attack led to the killing of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, attached to the Lagos State Command, on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Agege.
“The Police team had raced down to rescue a driver, who had allegedly knocked down a motorcycle rider to death unknowingly.
“A 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.
“These are very few cases out of many incidences recorded across the country,” TheNewsZenith quotes the Force PRO as stating.
He said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has sympathised with the families of the departed souls.
Egbetokun directs the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to investigate these incidents.
He said FCID should bring all persons, found wanting in the cases, to face the full wrath of the law.
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