The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the gruesome killing of three suspected robbers by a group of enraged youths in the Maav-Ya community of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
This latest incident once again highlights the alarming rise of mob attacks, commonly referred to as jungle justice, across Nigeria.
According to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the suspected robbers — identified as Zwanen Terzungwe, Iordepuu Gwa, and Aondongu Terna — were apprehended by local youths at approximately 6:00 pm over allegations of robbery.
Instead of reporting the suspects to the appropriate authorities, the irate mob forcefully took them to the community council hall, where they subjected them to a brutal beating that ultimately led to their deaths.
Upon receiving a distress report, security operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene. However, by the time they arrived, the mob had already dispersed, fleeing the area to avoid arrest.
The police subsequently evacuated the bodies of the deceased suspects and deposited them at the Kwande General Hospital mortuary for further examination.
In response to the incident, the Benue State Police Command condemned the act of jungle justice in strong terms. The Command reiterated that no citizen has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.
It further assured that investigations are actively ongoing to identify, apprehend, and prosecute all those involved in the mob action. The police also warned that anyone caught engaging in such unlawful acts would face the full weight of the law.
The disturbing incident in Benue State adds to a growing list of mob attacks being recorded across various parts of Nigeria. Such acts of extrajudicial killings have become increasingly rampant, reflecting a dangerous societal trend fueled by frustration over rising insecurity, ineffective policing, and a sluggish judicial process.
Just last month, in a shocking case from Plateau State, 22 travellers who were wedding guests fell victim to a mob attack. These innocent individuals were ambushed and killed by an irate mob based on unfounded suspicions.
The attack not only claimed multiple lives but also drew nationwide condemnation, with human rights groups and security agencies decrying the dangerous rise of jungle justice in the country.