Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has issued a nationwide warning that anyone involved in mob violence in Nigeria faces criminal prosecution, regardless of their role, from direct attackers to those who film and share footage online. In a video interview, Disu cited Section 319 of the Criminal Code and Section 221 of the Penal Code, both making unlawful killing an offence, with murder carrying a possible death sentence.
Legal Consequences for All Participants
Disu stressed that the law draws no distinction between the person who delivers a fatal blow and those who encourage or enable the act. Under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, anyone who plans, incites, or encourages a mob, even without physically touching the victim, is criminally liable. Those who cheer on an attack, share videos of it, or mobilise crowds can be charged with conspiracy to murder, which carries a 14-year prison sentence.
He also warned that blocking police officers from intervening, whether by forming a crowd barrier or obstructing their movement, constitutes a separate criminal offence. Filming an attack and circulating the footage online also places individuals in legal jeopardy.
Directive to All State Commissioners
The IGP announced that he has instructed all commissioners of police across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to classify every mob action incident as a homicid case and to pursue each one with full forensic and intelligence investigation. He said there would be no exceptions to this directive.
The warning comes as mob justice incidents have grown more frequent across Nigeria, with some cases filmed on mobile phones and circulated widely on social media platforms. Footage labelled "Ekosodin, Uniben" appeared alongside Disu's remarks in the video, showing a crowd gathered around what appeared to be a street incident.
Context of Rising Mob Justice
In a related story, Disu earlier urged residents of Kwara state not to abandon their communities in the face of rising bandit attacks, assuring them that security forces will reclaim affected areas. He gave that assurance on Monday, March 9, during a visit to the state, where he met with security commanders, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to assess the security situation and ongoing operations against criminal groups.
The IGP's latest directive underscores a firm stance against mob violence, aiming to deter all forms of participation through legal prosecution and thorough investigation.
