News
Jungle justice, threat to security, safety in Nigeria – Stakeholders
Stakeholders have expressed worry over the spate of mob killings, saying it posed threats to national security.
Stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos, described the increasing act as “disturbing.”
Mob justice or jungle justice is the act of individuals taking the law into their own hands by meting out punishment to alleged offenders without due process.
It is mostly targeted at those accused of theft, where the alleged criminal is publicly humiliated, tortured, stoned, beaten or lynched.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the past six weeks, the country has recorded several cases of mob killings.
On Oct. 1, a man identified as Monday, was beaten to death in Lagos state over alleged cable theft; the mob used copper wire to tie his neck, strangling him to death.
Also, on Oct. 13, in the Agenebode area of Edo, a mob attacked a police station, burnt to death some suspects accused of terrorising the community, set ablaze the police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station.
A mob killed a suspect on Oct. 14, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle at Dei-Dei in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also, on Nov. 2, a man, Sefilahi Danlami, 19, was lynched over alleged theft at the Panteka Market in the Mpape area of the FCT.
On Oct. 18 in the Issele-Uku area of Delta, a mob hijacked two suspected motorcycle thieves from the custody of police and lynched them; same day in Sagamu area of Ogun, a mob killed a man, John Udoh, 22, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Augustine Osupayi, 46, was killed on Oct. 19 by a mob in the Agege area of Lagos State, while trying to rescue a driver accused of hitting a motorcyclist.
The mob, unhappy with his intervention, lynched him.
Also, on Nov. 6, a suspected thief was mobbed to death after allegedly attempting to steal from a church at the Modern Market in Makurdi, Benue.
Similarly, on Nov. 9, a suspected burglar was macheted to death by a mob while attempting to commit a crime at Olu-Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt.
A security expert, Mr Olaniyi Daniel, owner of Premier Guard Security Ltd, affirmed that mob justice posed grave risks to individuals and society.
“The killing of a person for a crime without due process is barbaric and should be condemned.
“If you lynch a person for stealing a phone or motorcycle, you are not innocent. You have committed murder which is even worse than stealing.
“This inhumane trend makes people to think that Nigeria is a lawless country, ” he said.
According to him, some Nigerians especially the unemployed are angry and frustrated, and at any slightest provocation, they can vent their anger on their fellow citizens.
He called on the government and law enforcement agencies to urgently check the growing trend.
“The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other agencies should embark on sensitisation that will inform the public about the consequences of their actions.
“Government at all levels should look into the issue of employment, so as to take jobless youths off the streets and to implement the criminal justice system.
“Police and judiciary need to do more to tackle the menace by putting in place an effective punishment to ensure that culprits were prosecuted which would serve as a deterrent, ” he said.
In the same vein, a Legal Practitioner, Mr Emmanuel Ajayi, said that there was need to place priority on human life.
“The Nigerians constitution provides for the right to life, and it is declared that nobody’s life should be taken.
“Section 315 of the Criminal Code Act says that any person who unlawfully kills another is guilty of an offence called murder, ” he said.
He blamed illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, religion, lack of confidence in the police and judicial system, among others, for the rise.
“People lynched because they think that when suspects are handed over to the police or taken to court, they may buy their freedom and return to society to continue their atrocities.
“But there is no justification for mob action, no amount of loss of trust in the police or judiciary should make people to take the law into their hands.
“Due process must be followed before somebody can be pronounced guilty, this is necessary because a lot of innocent people have lost their lives to jungle justice, ” he said.
Ajayi urged the government to wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property.
He said government should also reform the police, judiciary and create employment.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, decried the rising incidents of mob justice.
He cautioned Nigerians against its consequences on criminal justice administration, rule of law and global reputation.
Adejobi, in a statement on Oct. 20 in Abuja, condemned the country’s jungle justice trend, describing it as “a deplorable and savage behaviour.”
The FPRO said the act had led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property across the country.
He said that the inhuman act was a betrayal of justice and due process, undermining the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights and justice. (NAN)
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.