The Cross River State Police Command has initiated a public sensitisation campaign aimed at curbing jungle justice, urging residents to report criminal suspects to law enforcement rather than taking the law into their own hands. The campaign, led by police spokesperson Sunday Eitokpa, comes in response to recurring mob violence in the state, including recent killings of suspected criminals and individuals falsely accused of offences.
Campaign Details
In a video shared on his Facebook page approximately one week ago, Eitokpa was seen addressing a market crowd through a public address system. He declared, “Justice, not jungle justice. Cross River State Police Command says no to jungle justice.” Holding up ropes allegedly intended to restrain a suspected thief, he remarked, “Look at the rope they want to use to tie somebody’s child for stealing garri.”
Eitokpa emphasised that only courts have constitutional authority to determine guilt and punish offenders. “It is not your place to deliver justice, whether the person stole or not. It is not your duty to assault or take the person somewhere. Call the police. The police are close to you. The police will arrest the suspect and charge him or her to court for the court to decide the case,” he said.
Warning Against Violence
He further warned, “Violence does not solve anything; it only creates more victims. If you kill one suspect today and tomorrow you kill another, how long will that continue? You will become a murderer. The person could be your child or relative tomorrow.” Eitokpa also highlighted the legal right to a fair hearing, urging residents to allow suspects a chance to present their side of the story. He conveyed a warning from Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua that the command will not spare anyone found participating in jungle justice.
Public Reactions
The campaign drew mixed reactions on Facebook, reflecting deep divisions over public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Some users applauded the police for community engagement. Akusina hi Akusinachi wrote, “Good job, NPF, please give us more of this kind of sound police officers.” Innowealth Etim supported the campaign, stating, “Truly speaking I stand with this personnel on this subject… let’s stop taking it into hand by killing innocent citizens…”
Others expressed scepticism. Anthony Iboro commented, “Make people suffer, catch thieves, come give u, so that una go dey collect bail money chop abii?? shift.” Stanley Othuke noted, “Sometimes police will collect bribes from criminals and release them back to society… jungle justice is very bad because many innocent people wrongly accused have been killed.” Effiong Effiong questioned victim protection, asking, “So what if the thief come kill you nkor, what will the police do? Hope say the case no go die.” Destiny Bassey added, “But the problem be say una dey arrest them then later release them and them go become very deadly… the person wey arrest them must face am.” Dawari Rolandsome blamed weak law enforcement and judicial failures for mob violence, stating, “Jungle justice is not good, but it happens due to lack of confidence and justice from the police and the judiciary.”
Police Response
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, Eitokpa said jungle justice incidents have continued in Cross River, prompting the command to embark on public enlightenment. He stated the campaign aims to educate residents on the dangers and legal consequences of taking the law into their own hands, encouraging them to report suspects to the police instead.
Background of Jungle Justice in Cross River
The campaign follows a series of jungle justice incidents in the state. On 28 June, Daily Post reported that police warned residents against mob justice after an unidentified man accused of attempted robbery was beaten to death in Calabar South. The warning came a day after the killing, with police describing the act as unlawful and cautioning that innocent people have often fallen victim to mob violence.
Earlier, on 31 March, PREMIUM TIMES reported protests over the killing of a woman in Cross River, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability. In July 2023, Vanguard newspaper reported that police launched a manhunt for those responsible for the killing of a woman accused of witchcraft, underscoring the persistence of extrajudicial violence in parts of the state.
