The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has cautioned Nigerians against taking the law into their own hands, warning that anyone who kills a person suspected of committing a crime through mob action could face prosecution for murder.
Disu gave the warning in a video that gained traction on Tuesday, stressing that Nigeria is governed by the rule of law and not by mob justice.
According to the police chief, no individual, community or group has the authority to arrest, convict or execute a suspect without due process.
“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 the 1999 Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to every Nigerian, including suspects, particularly the rights to life, dignity and fair hearing under Sections 33, 34 and 36.
He urged Nigerians to report suspected criminal activities to the police and other relevant security agencies rather than resorting to violence.
Disu also warned against relying on social media posts, viral videos or unverified allegations as justification for attacking suspected criminals.
He said criminal allegations must be established in court, stressing that a person remains innocent until proven guilty.
“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 IGP cited several incidents in which innocent people were allegedly killed following accusations of theft, mistaken identity, blasphemy and ritual activities.
He specifically referenced the March 2025 killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, describing the incident as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of mob justice.
“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 the consequences of mob violence would not be limited to those who physically kill a victim.
According to him, individuals who organise, incite, finance, encourage or otherwise assist mob action could also be held criminally responsible.
“Anybody who plans, incites or encourages the mob, you support them, you give them all the support, even without laying a hand on the victim is criminally liable,” he said.
The police chief further said people who record, circulate or promote videos of mob attacks, mobilise crowds or obstruct security personnel from rescuing victims could also face criminal charges, depending on their involvement.
Disu disclosed that he had directed commissioners of police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat cases of mob action as homicide and subject them to full forensic and intelligence investigations.
He said the police would identify and prosecute everyone found to have participated in such attacks, rather than limiting investigations to alleged ringleaders.
“No exception. We will identify, arrest and prosecute not just the ringleaders, but everybody available, everybody we can identify who took part in it,” he said.
The IGP said investigators would use available evidence, including videos, eyewitness accounts, community intelligence and information from security personnel, to establish the identities and roles of those involved.
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to act on rumours or unverified accusations, stressing that the proper place for determining guilt or innocence remains the court.
Disu’s warning comes amid renewed concerns over mob killings in different parts of the country, with the police chief insisting that respect for due process remains essential to protecting innocent lives and maintaining law and order.