By Deborah Akpede
In Nigeria, shouting just “thief” can turn an ordinary gathering of people into a deadly mob within minutes. Many times, before the person called thief realises he is the one referred to, he or she has received series of fist blows, slaps and strokes of cane from those around him or her who suddenly became angry and violent.
In some cases, the violence ends in death, with suspects even set ablaze.
Popularly known as jungle justice, the practice remains a disturbing security and human rights concern and is fuelled by rising crime rate, public frustration and distrust in the justice system.
While some Nigerians see mob actions as a response to perceived failures of law enforcement and prolonged trials, others describe it as unlawful, dangerous and condemnable.
It is well known in law that an allegation is not proof of guilt, and every suspect is presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court of law.
Every suspect is also entitled to fair hearing – an opportunity to defend himself or herself before a court.
A report by Amnesty International states that at least 555 people were killed in Nigeria by mobs from January 2012 to August 2023, indicating an average of 50 deaths to 55 deaths annually.
The figure is based on recorded incidents, suggesting that the actual number could be higher because many incidents may go unreported or undocumented.
Mob action, also known as “jungle justice” or mob violence, is an illegal act where a group of people takes the law into their own hands by attacking, punishing or killing someone suspected to have committed a crime, without a trial or fair hearing.
A number of such cases was recorded across Nigeria in July, with one being the killing of a 25-year-old University of Jos graduate on July 26.
The mob accused him of stealing an iPhone in Jos.
Also, on July 1, two travellers on a motorcycle were killed in Gidan Kalu Village, Kaduna State, after bystanders allegedly mistook them for kidnappers.
On July 7, a man was allegedly killed in Ojoo, Ibadan, after he was accused of attempting to rob a Point of Sale operator of a mobile phone while pretending to purchase mobile phone data.
Similarly, on July 17, a 21-year-old man accused of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm in Mbak 4 Community, Uyo, was reportedly killed by a mob.
On July 21, a man was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Okpara-Waterside Community, Delta, after he was accused of stealing “Banga”.
Other reported incidents include the killing of a man in Kano on July 24 over alleged adultery, murder of a man in Makurdi on July 22 over alleged N80,000 debt, and lynching of two men over attempted snatching of a motorcycle in Niger.
Security stakeholders blame this growing menace on public distrust in law enforcement, delays in justice administration, misinformation, poverty, rising crime rate, and weak investigations.
According to a security expert, Mr Olaniyi Daniel, jungle justice often begins with an accusation.
” A mere shout of ‘thief!’ or an unverified allegation can quickly attract a crowd and trigger violence,” he said.
Daniel, the owner of Premier Guard Security Ltd., said that emotions often replaced reason, with people who knew little about the circumstances joining the attack, thereby putting innocent persons at risk.
The expert said that mob actions undermined the justice system by replacing due process with violence, urging that allegations should be properly investigated and determined through fair hearing.
He said that unverified information and misleading videos circulated on social media had worsened the situation by creating fear and anger.
He added that mob attacks could trigger retaliatory violence from the victims’ relatives.
Daniel emphasised that the responsibility to establish guilt belonged to the courts, not individuals, urging that suspected criminals should be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
He attributed jungle justice partly to public frustration over delays in justice administration and declining trust in law-enforcement agencies.
He, however, said that such concerns would never justify mob actions.
The expert called for stronger community policing, sustained public enlightenment and improved collaboration between security agencies and communities to curb jungle justice.
Daniel said that strengthening the justice system, improving access to justice and rebuilding public trust in law-enforcement institutions would be essential to ending jungle justice.
Similarly, Mr Christopher Oji, also a security expert, urged Nigerians to shun jungle justice and hand over suspected criminals to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
Oji, a former President of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN) described jungle justice as ‘evil’ and a form of wickedness, blaming it on lack of public enlightenment on the dangers and consequences.
He regretted that many innocent people had been attacked and killed based on mere suspicion, highlighting the dangers of mob justice and acting without proper investigation.
Oji urged the National Orientation Agency to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against jungle justice, particularly in urban communities.
He also called on the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen community policing and educate residents on the dangers of taking the law into their hands.
Oji urged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, civil society organisations, and media professionals to educate the public on the dangers and legal consequences of mob actions.
He urged security agencies to respond promptly to distress calls, protect suspects from mob attacks and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
Oji said that Nigerians should always remember that anyone could become a victim of mob attack through mistaken identity or unverified allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, recently warned Nigerians against resorting to jungle justice, saying that anyone involved in lynching or unlawful killing of a suspect would face prosecution.
Disu said that no individual or group had the legal authority to arrest, try, convict or execute suspects based on allegations, rumours or social media content, stressing that only a competent court of law could determine guilt or innocence.
He urged Nigerians to hand suspected criminals over to the police or other relevant security agencies for investigation and prosecution.
”Jungle justice is murder. It is not justice,” he warned.
The I-G said that Sections 33, 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guaranteed the rights of every Nigerian, including suspects, to life, dignity and fair hearing.
He said that innocent people had been killed on mere suspicion, citing cases of students accused of stealing phones and travellers killed over mistaken identity, including 16 travellers in Edo.
Disu cited Sections 319 of the Criminal Code and 221 of the Penal Code, saying that anyone who unlawfully killed another person could be prosecuted for murder or manslaughter, depending on the circumstances.
He warned that liability would not be limited to those who delivered the fatal blow, saying that anyone who planned, incited, encouraged or supported mob justice would also face criminal charges.
The police boss said that filming mob attacks, mobilising crowds, circulating videos or obstructing security personnel from rescuing suspects could amount to conspiracy to murder.
According to him, this offence is punishable with 14 years jail term.
Disu said he had directed commissioners of police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat cases of mob action as homicide and investigate them thoroughly using forensic, intelligence and video evidence.
He warned police officers and other security personnel against failing to intervene during mob attacks, saying that officers who deliberately looked away or failed to protect lives would face disciplinary action.
Aligning with the I-G, a lawyer, Mrs Kemi Ojo, said there was need to prioritise human life, emphasising that the Nigerian Constitution guaranteed right to life.
She said that Section 315 of the Criminal Code provided that anyone who unlawfully killed another person would be guilty of murder.
Ojo attributed the rise in jungle justice to illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, religious sentiments and lack of confidence in the police and the judiciary.
She said that some people resorted to mob actions because they feared that suspects handed over to the police or taken to court might regain freedom and return to society.
The lawyer, however, stressed that there was no justification for jungle justice regardless of the level of distrust in the police or judiciary.
She said due process must be followed before anyone could be pronounced guilty, noting that many innocent persons had lost their lives to mob violence.
Ojo urged the Federal Governments to take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property, while reforming the police and judiciary and creating more employment opportunities.
According to Pastor Elijah James of the Assemblies of God Church, Ayobo, Lagos State, jungle justice is morally wrong and contrary to Christian teachings, which emphasise the sanctity of human life, forgiveness and justice through lawful means.
He said that although citizens might be frustrated by crime and delays in the justice system, such frustration should not lead to taking lives.
“When someone is suspected of committing a crime, we must allow the law to take its course.
“Taking a life without trial is not justice; it is another crime,” he said.
He urged religious institutions, traditional leaders and community organisations to work together to promote respect for human life and the rule of law.
James said that justice must be guided by truth and due process rather than anger, rumours or emotions.
Analysts say that persistence of jungle justice highlights the need to rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s justice and law-enforcement systems.
They recommend prompt police response, speedy justice, stronger community policing and sustained public enlightenment as strateges to tackle the menace, urging
Nigerians to reject violence as a substitute for justice and allow allegations to be resolved through due process of law.