Group decries prevalence of jungle justice in Nigeria 

The United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP) has decried high rate of jungle justice in Nigeria, urging youths to shun killings and allow the law to take its course. It also said government must implement policies sensitising the public on the dangers of the act.

Speaking at a press briefing to kick-start campaign against jungle justice in Akure, Ondo State, tomorrow, UGRFP Executive Director, Olaseni Shalom, said the action dents the country’s image and threatens its resolve to exist as a democratic state.

He condemned the jungle justice meted to the traditional ruler of a community in Ondo State, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda Kingdom.

He regretted that some Nigerians have formed the habit of venting their anger or emotions on persons accused of committing crimes. According to him, “You hear statements like, ‘Let’s burn him or her’, ‘Let’s beat him and throw him in the river’ and ‘Let’s bury him alive’.”

Shalom said: “We at UGRFP denounce this as inimical to peace, tranquility and our collective co-existence and a slippery slope capable of taking the country back to the barbaric era and the Thomas Hobbes state of nature when life was short, nasty and brutish.

“Our heart bleeds every time we read in the news that a certain human being has been executed in the public domain upon the unsubstantiated suspicion of committing crime.

“This is 2017, and the stone-age era is far behind us. We encourage all people to leave all thinking and actions related to barbarism and disregard for the sanctity of life and totally purge ourselves of this terrorist notion.”