Following the extrajudicial killing of a suspected thief in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, the Police in the state has frowned at any form of jungle justice.
The warning by the authority was conveyed on a radio sensitisation program by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Maureen Chinaka, who advised that suspected criminals should be reported to the appropriate authority for investigation rather than being lynched.
The police image maker, while reacting to the recent lynching of the man identified as Ikechi Kalu, who was alleged to have stolen a motorcycle, warned that the police will not spare anyone found wanting.
Some youths of the clan were said to have caught the late Kanu, a father of one, while trying to make away with a stolen motorcycle in November. This led them to “convict” him for the crime before setting him ablaze with tyres.
An alleged video of the lynching trending on the internet showed the jungle justice victim being beaten before being set ablaze.
Chinaka called on Abia residents to report any suspected criminals or alleged defaulters of laws and allowed the police to take up the matters in accordance with the law.
She added that some persons who indulged in jungle justice have already been arrested, saying more would be arrested.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Haruna Garba, has reiterated the commitment of the FCT Police Command to sustaining the fight against crimes and criminality, including kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Garba gave the assurance on Tuesday when operatives of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit, in a joint effort with other security agencies, rescued two kidnapped victims.
A statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the victims, James Paul and one Austin Oba from Kobi Sarki Village, Abuja, were abducted by kidnappers on Monday.
She noted that police operatives swung into action upon receipt of the distress call and trailed the criminals to their hideout, leading to the successful rescue of the victims.
Adeh said the victims have since been reunited with their families after being confirmed stabilised by a medical expert.