Jungle Justice: Police To Prosecute Vigilante For Murder In Lagos

The Nigeria Police Force said it will prosecute one Agunbiade Adekunle, a vigilante, for allegedly killing a handed over to him in the Itire area of Lagos.

It was gathered that Agunbiade who is the security guard at Shonde Street in the Itire area of the state, resorted to setting the vandal ablaze when he was caught in the act on the 25th of March 2024.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement stated that the security guard will be prosecuted as he advised Nigerians against jungle justice.

He said, “It is pertinent to understand that the act of taking the law into one’s hands has often been described and referred to as jungle justice. The act has globally been condemned for many obvious reasons, particularly as a parasitic hindrance to strengthening the criminal justice system.

“For instance, police operatives attached to the Itire Divisional Police Headquarters of Lagos State on the 25th of March 2024 received a report from a man who resides along Shonde Street, Itire, that a group of hoodlums were vandalizing his vehicle and he raised an alarm which led to the arrest of one of the vandals.”

Adejobi added that the vandal was handed over to one Agunbiade Adekunle who is the security guard of the street, but he in turn, resorted to killing the suspect by setting him ablaze.

He further stated “The guard has been arrested and will be charged to court for murder.

“There are other similar cases recorded across the country that have been condemned and hindered the smooth investigation and prosecution of many cases,” Adejobi said.

The Police spokesperson urged the public to shun jungle justice, mob actions, and other forms of extrajudicial killings.

He remarked that jungle justice is a criminal act and a grave violation of human rights that threatens the fabric of a civilized society, perpetuating a cycle of violence, prejudice, and lawlessness.