The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Ahmed Ammani has lamented the spate of Jungle justice following the social media report that the POS robbers set ablaze are police men serving in Enugu.
The CP condemned the mob action and extra-judicial killing of two (2) alleged male criminal suspects, by an angry mob on Wednesday along Bissala Road, Independence Layout, Enugu.
He therefore, ordered the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) to carry out a discreet investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and those involved.
The CP described as untrue and unfounded, the viral media report suggesting that the victims of jungle justice was executed on, are policemen serving in New Haven Police Division of the Command.
He said contrary to the report, available records only revealed that one of them, later identified as Ogbobe Benjamin, has long been from the Nigeria Police Force as a Police Constable, for acts against discipline. Hence, he can never be seen or said to be a serving policeman as claimed.
The commissioner reiterated that no matter the circumstance, resorting to self-help to carry out acts of jungle justice in this manner, without recourse to extant laws and the criminal administration system, is totally condemnable and tantamount to the commission of crime in itself.
He cautioned against such heinous and cruel acts that violate the provisions of the Constitution and other extant laws, especially as it concerns the inalienable rights of the person; and impedes the Command’s efforts at combating crimes and criminality in the state.
The CP urged citizens of the state to always be law-abiding and assist the Police in the fight against criminals and their activities, especially by arresting and handing over criminal suspects to the Police for further lawful actions, in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the amended Nigeria Police Act 2020 and other laws.
He further called on them to promptly report general acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station.