The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has warned Nigerians against resorting to mob justice, stressing that anyone who kills a suspected criminal outside the provisions of the law is guilty of murder.
Speaking in a video that began trending on Tuesday, Disu said Nigeria operates under the rule of law and not “mob rule”, urging citizens to allow security agencies and the courts to handle allegations of criminal conduct.
“Nigeria operates under the rule of law, not mob rule. No citizen, no community, no group has the right to try, sentence or execute another person,” he said.
The IGP noted that Sections 33, 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantee every Nigerian, including persons accused of crimes, the rights to life, dignity and fair hearing.
He stressed that the law presumes every suspect innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
Disu also warned that social media allegations, viral videos and rumours should not be treated as evidence or used as justification for taking the law into one’s hands.
“In a court of law, not in the streets, not by a mob, not by a phone video because you saw him in video. Innocent people are dying daily on mere suspicion,” he said.
The police chief cited cases of students allegedly lynched over phone theft accusations, travellers killed after being mistaken for criminals, and young people attacked following allegations of blasphemy or ritual activities.
He also referenced the March 2025 lynching of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with mob violence.
“That single incident should haunt every Nigerian every day. Just a rumour, shout of ‘thief, thief, thief’ or viral video, none of that is evidence,” Disu said.
He warned that anyone who assaults or summarily executes a suspected criminal could face prosecution for murder.
According to the IGP, criminal responsibility would not be limited to those who physically attack victims, as other individuals found to have participated in or facilitated mob violence could also be investigated.
Disu said he had directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every case of mob action as homicide.
“I have directed all Commissioners of Police across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT to treat every case of mob action as homicide and they should investigate it like that, with full forensic and intelligence follow-up,” he said.
He added that the police would rely on video footage, eyewitness accounts, community intelligence and information from security personnel to identify and prosecute all those involved in mob violence.
