Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to Nigerians who engage in jungle justice, cautioning them to desist from taking laws into their own hands. Egbetokun condemned the rising instances of mob killings, emphasizing that such acts threaten the nation’s rule of law and global reputation.
The IGP’s directive came after the tragic killing of Augustine Osupayi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police serving in Lagos State, who was killed by a mob during a violent incident in the Agege area on Saturday. Egbetokun, who was outraged by the incident, ordered an immediate investigation into the case and other similar occurrences, directing that those responsible be brought to justice.
In a related development, Daily Trust reported that on October 13, a mob attacked a police station in Edo State, setting suspects on fire and burning the station to the ground. This is just one of the many cases of jungle justice being recorded across the country.
Reacting to the growing trend, the Force spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, quoted Egbetokun as saying: “In view of the recent spate of jungle justice in some parts of the country, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned the dangerous and abhorrent trend and cautioned the general public on the consequences of such on our criminal justice administration, the rule of law, and the global reputation of our dear country.”
Egbetokun also condemned the recent arson in Agenebode, Edo State, where community members attacked the police after the arrest of suspected criminals. According to Adejobi, the police were accused of attempting to pervert justice by taking suspected kidnappers into custody, which angered the community. In retaliation, the mob set fire to the police station, burned patrol vehicles, and killed the suspects.
“The erroneous perception of the community members that the police would set free the suspects was absolutely wrong and quite unfair, as the police never intended to pervert justice,” Adejobi explained.
Regarding the killing of ASP Osupayi, Adejobi provided insight into the Lagos incident, stating that the police officer was killed while trying to prevent jungle justice. The police team had responded to rescue a driver who accidentally knocked down a motorcycle rider. Despite saving the driver from being lynched, the enraged mob attacked the police, leading to the officer’s death.
“The police team had raced down to the rescue of a driver… the group of motorcycle riders pounced on the driver, who was eventually rescued by the police,” Adejobi said, adding that “the rescue didn’t go down well with the riders, who descended on the police team and unfortunately killed the ASP instantly.”
Egbetokun expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and instructed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to investigate these cases thoroughly and ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.
In his final remarks, Egbetokun stressed that jungle justice and acts of destruction only undermine the foundations of legal authority and public safety. “It is criminal, illogical, and unjustifiable, irrespective of the grievances held by the perpetrators,” he added.
