The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerians against taking the law into their own hands, declaring that anyone who kills a suspected criminal through mob action will face murder charges and could be sentenced to death.
Disu gave the warning in a video circulating on Tuesday, where he condemned the growing incidents of mob justice and urged Nigerians to allow the police and courts to investigate and determine allegations of criminality.
According to the police chief, Nigeria operates under the rule of law and not “mob rule,” stressing that no individual or group has the constitutional authority to arrest, try, convict or execute another person.
“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,” Disu said.
He noted that Sections 33, 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantee the rights to life, dignity and fair hearing, including for people suspected of committing crimes.
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The inspector general of police warned that allegations made on social media, viral videos or mere accusations by members of the public do not constitute sufficient evidence to justify killing a suspect.
He said innocent Nigerians had been killed over unverified allegations, citing cases involving students accused of stealing phones, travellers attacked because of mistaken identities and young people killed following rumours of blasphemy or ritual killings.
Disu also referenced the March 2025 mob killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, describing the incident as a tragic 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,” he said.
“None of that gives anybody the right to take another person’s life.”
The police chief said anyone who assaults or kills a suspected criminal outside the judicial process would be liable for murder, an offence punishable by death under applicable provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code.
He further warned that criminal liability would not be limited to individuals who physically attack or kill victims.
According to him, those who plan, incite, encourage or provide support for mob action could also be prosecuted, even if they did not personally assault the victim.
“It is not only the person who strikes that victim. It is not the only person who uses cutlass to cut the person,” Disu said.
He added that people who mobilise crowds, circulate videos to encourage mob violence or prevent security personnel from intervening could also face criminal charges, including conspiracy.
The inspector general of police disclosed that he had directed commissioners of police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every case of mob action as homicide and investigate such incidents through forensic and intelligence-led methods.
Disu vowed that the police would identify and prosecute everyone involved in mob violence, including ringleaders and other participants.
“No exception. 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.
He said investigators would use video recordings, eyewitness accounts, community intelligence and information from security personnel to identify individuals involved in mob attacks.
The inspector general of police urged Nigerians to report suspected criminals to the police rather than attempting to punish them themselves, stressing that the criminal justice system remains the lawful avenue for determining guilt or innocence.
