Lagos police warn against jungle justice
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By Olu AJAYI (Abeokuta)
NIGERIA: THE Lagos State Police Command is not happy with the rate of jungle justice in the state.
The Command said that it would not tolerate how some members of the public mete out unjustifiable punishments on suspected criminals.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said in a statement made available to GatewayMail that said the warning became necessary in view of the recent recorded cases of jungle justice in the state.
Owoseni gave an example of this incident which he said occurred on August 8, 2017 at Ajala Bus-Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro where two persons suspected to be kidnappers or ritualists were burnt and some buildings vandalized.
Another of such anomaly, the Commissioner said, happened on August 10, 2017 at Ile-Zik Bus Stop, along Old
Abeokuta Road, where mob attempted to carry out jungle justice on some destitute persons suspected to be ritualists or kidnappers.
“This was prevented by quick intervention of the Police and Sister Security Agencies,” the police boss explained.
He further said that the August 11, 2017 attack on a destitute, who appeared to be mentally unstable, and was set ablaze by mob on the allegation that he possessed a cellphone was unacceptable.
“It is necessary to mention that in the course of the disdainful acts, vital evidence are destroyed,” Owoseni said.
“In addition, in the course of discharging its constitutional responsibilities and prevent the barbaric act, police officers were fatally wounded, while stones were hurled at them as well as Police Patrol Vans,” he further said.
“However, a number of arrests were made in this regard,” the Commissioner said, while stating that the series of incidents made it imperative for the police to remind everyone of the provisions in the nation’s constitution.
The constitution, according to him, reads: “It shall be the duty of every citizen to respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood. No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Owoseni stated that there was no justification for jungle justice on suspected persons as such action is barbaric and uncivilized.
“It is a manifestation of the erosion of our moral values and a disregard to sanctity of human lives,” he said, adding: “It violates the rule of law and dents the image of the State.”
He further said: “Above all, it is a violation of the law, and all those arrested in connection with the aforementioned cases will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The general public is advised to report any suspicious happening in their areas to the Police and other Security Agencies. The public is assured of the renewed commitment of the Police and other Security Agencies to prompt response to such reports.”
“The public is also assured of renewed synergy amongst the institutions saddled with criminal justice administration towards ensuring quick dispensation of justice,” he maintained.
The police boss strongly advised the public to desist from this unlawful and barbaric act, while warning that no effort will be spared in ensuring that lawful means are used to bring to justice anyone who violates the law.
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