Alleged ritual hideouts in Lagos: Owoseni condemns acts of jungle justice

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni has cautioned Lagosian to desist from taking the law into their own hand and engaging in jungle justice.

Owoseni who made this known in a press statement issued on Friday reiterated that the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended which states thus:
“It shall be the duty of every citizen to respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood”
“No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment” needs to be upheld at all time.

Making reference to the activities of alleged ritualist dens uncovered at various parts of the state, the State Police Boss said, “In the past few days, the Lagos State Police Command has recorded some incidents of jungle justice across the State. Some recent cases are: The incident of 8th August, 2017 at Ajala Bus-Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro where two (2) persons suspected to be Kidnapers/Ritualists were completely burnt, while some buildings were vandalized.

“The incident of 10th August, 2017 at Ile-Zik Bus Stop, along Old Abeokuta Road, where mob attempted to carry out jungle justice on some destitutes, suspected to be Ritualists/Kidnappers. This was prevented by quick intervention of the Police and Sister Security Agencies. Also the incident of 11th August, 2017, where a destitute who appeared to be mentally deraigned was set ablaze by mob on the allegation that he possessed a telephone.”

Owoseni stated that in the course of the disdainful acts, vital evidence are destroyed and that in the course of discharging its Constitutional responsibilities and prevent the barbaric act, Police officers were fatally wounded, while stones were hurled at them as well as Police Patrol Vans.

Although a numbers of persons were arrested in this regard, Owoseni however said, “The foregoing has made it imperative that the general public be reminded that there is no justification for jungle justice on suspected persons. It is barbaric and uncivilized. It is a manifestation of the erosion of our moral values and a disregard to sanctity of human lives.

“It violates the rule of law and dents the image of the State. Above all, it is a violation of the law, and all those arrested in connection with the aforementioned cases will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The General public is advised to report any suspicious happening in their areas to the Police and other Security Agencies. The public is assured of the renewed commitment of the Police and other Security Agencies to prompt response to such reports. The public is also assured of renewed synergy amongst the institutions saddled with criminal justice administration towards ensuring quick dispensation of justice,” he said.

He therefore advised members of the general public to desist from the unlawful and barbaric act, as no effort will be spared in ensuring that lawful means are used to bring to justice, anyone who violates the law.