Nigerians Express Concern Over Escalating Mob Justice

The gruesome burning of an unidentified couple on Monday, September 2, 2024, in the Orogwe-Ohii area of Owerri-West Local Government, Imo State, for allegedly robbing a motorcyclist and stealing his motorcycle, has once again highlighted the alarming rise of mob justice, commonly referred to as jungle justice, in Nigeria.

Reports indicate that the couple had been operating in the area and surrounding communities. However, on this particular day, they were caught fleeing with a stolen motorcycle after holding the motorcyclist at gunpoint.

“The couple was known in the community, but no one suspected they were involved in motorcycle theft until they were caught in the act,” a source said.

Caught while trying to rob a man of his motorcycle along the Orogwe-Ohii Road, the community’s youths and vigilantes, angered by the ongoing crime wave, chose to exact immediate punishment rather than hand the suspects over to the police.

Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, condemned the action, warning that mob justice would not serve the course of justice. He urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their hands and to allow the police to carry out their law enforcement duties.

“Let the police do their job. Suspects should be handed over to law enforcement for proper investigation. We have deployed a team to investigate and apprehend those responsible for this act,” Okoye stated.

Earlier this year, incidents of jungle justice were also reported in Lagos. On March 25, police officers from the Itire Divisional Headquarters arrested a vandal, only for him to be set ablaze after being handed over to a security guard. Days later, two suspects were rescued from a mob after attempting to steal a phone in the Surulere area of Lagos.

In August 2023, a suspected armed robber was beaten to death in Agege, Lagos, while trying to rob a resident. Similarly, a cleric, Femi Kolade, mourned the death of his 27-year-old son, who had a history of mental illness, after he was mistakenly lynched by a mob in Ayobo, Alimosho Local Government, Lagos.

Other cases include the near-lynching of a suspected robber in Abule Egba, Lagos, who was beaten and tied to a stake before community leaders intervened, and the narrow escape of two patrol marshals in Kaduna after being blamed for a tricycle accident.

One of the most notorious instances of mob justice in Nigeria remains the lynching of four University of Port Harcourt students in Aluu community, Rivers State. Despite efforts to bring perpetrators of mob justice to trial, the trend continues unabated.

The law is clear: extrajudicial killing is illegal. However, an in-depth analysis suggests that multiple factors contribute to the rise in mob justice, including social, religious, and economic frustrations. Jim Momoh, a social commentator, observed, “Nigerians are frustrated on many fronts. People struggle to make ends meet, and at the slightest provocation, they snap.”

Momoh added that a lack of faith in law enforcement contributes to the issue, with some believing that suspects handed over to the police are often released if bribes are involved. “Life has lost its sanctity in this country,” he lamented.

Reverend John Akachi Ahamzie, of the Holy Fire Overflow Ministry in Lagos, traced part of the issue to Old Testament teachings that promoted retributive justice, but noted that under the New Testament and Christ’s doctrine, forgiveness is encouraged. He argued that the breakdown in the rule of law fuels such acts of violence, as people take matters into their own hands when they lose confidence in authorities.

Sociologist Dr. Isaac Otumala believes anger is the driving force behind mob justice. “Anger is momentary madness. When people are angry, they stop thinking, and in that moment of madness, they act irrationally,” he explained, emphasizing the need for due process in handling suspected criminals.

Human rights lawyer Malachy Ugwummadu emphasized that there is no legal justification for mob justice. He pointed out that the right to life, enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and international treaties, can only be revoked through legal procedures.

Ugwummadu linked mob action to societal failures, particularly in the justice system, where a lack of confidence in fair trials leads to desperate measures. “When people hear about wealthy individuals evading justice while petty thieves are imprisoned for years, they lose faith in the system and resort to mob action,” he said.

To combat mob justice, he called for stronger action by law enforcement, suggesting that high-profile prosecutions of those involved in mob violence could serve as a deterrent. “Law enforcement must act swiftly and set an example, showing that this is not an acceptable path for justice,” he urged.

The increasing cases of jungle justice in Nigeria highlight the urgent need for government intervention to restore faith in law enforcement and the justice system, ensuring that every suspect is treated fairly and that mob action is never justified.