IGP Disu Warns Against Mob Justice, Reaffirms Police Commitment to Due Process
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the rule of law, due process and the protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians, warning citizens against mob action and other forms of self-help justice.
The police chief said allegations against individuals must be subjected to proper investigation and available evidence carefully examined before conclusions are reached, stressing that every person accused of wrongdoing deserves an opportunity to be heard.
His position reinforces the principle that suspicion or public accusation should not automatically translate into guilt, particularly in an era when allegations can spread rapidly through social media and other digital platforms before law enforcement agencies have had an opportunity to establish the facts.
According to the IGP, the pursuit of justice must remain anchored on lawful procedures rather than emotion, public pressure or instant condemnation.
“No one should be condemned without due process,” the Inspector-General said, while restating the determination of the Force to uphold citizens’ rights and ensure that justice is administered fairly and impartially.
The warning comes amid continuing concerns about incidents in which suspects accused of crimes are assaulted, publicly humiliated or, in extreme cases, killed by mobs before their alleged offences can be investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Police Urge Nigerians to Reject Mob Action
Disu called on Nigerians to reject mob action, self-help justice and the temptation to take the law into their own hands, arguing that allowing established institutions to investigate allegations remains essential to maintaining a peaceful and orderly society.
The IGP’s message places responsibility not only on security agencies but also on members of the public to respect legal processes when confronted with suspected criminal activity.
Under the criminal justice system, an allegation is not in itself proof of guilt. Investigators are expected to gather evidence, interview relevant parties and determine whether sufficient grounds exist for further legal action. Where appropriate, suspects may then be prosecuted before a competent court, where evidence can be tested and the accused allowed to present a defence.
This distinction becomes particularly important in cases that attract widespread public attention. Viral videos, photographs, eyewitness accounts and social-media posts can provide useful information, but they may not always present the complete circumstances surrounding an incident.
Allowing investigators to establish the facts can therefore help prevent innocent people from being punished on the basis of misinformation, mistaken identity or unverified accusations.
Due Process Protects Both Victims and Suspects
The principle of due process is important not only for persons accused of offences but also for victims seeking sustainable justice.
When suspected offenders are attacked or killed by mobs, opportunities to uncover wider criminal networks, identify accomplices or recover evidence may be lost. Such actions can also complicate investigations and create another potential criminal case involving those who participated in the violence.
A functioning justice system, by contrast, is expected to establish responsibility through evidence and lawful procedures.
The IGP therefore stressed that Nigerians should allow relevant institutions to perform their constitutional and statutory responsibilities rather than attempting to replace formal justice mechanisms with street punishment.
“A peaceful and just society is built when we allow lawful institutions to do their work,” he said.
The position is consistent with the broader emphasis Disu has placed on professional and accountable policing since assuming leadership of the Force. In July, the Nigeria Police Force said the IGP ordered a full investigation into a viral Lagos-Benin Expressway stop-and-search incident involving officers accused of unprofessional conduct and derogatory ethnic remarks. The Force said the officers were taken into custody pending disciplinary proceedings and reiterated that ethnic profiling and disrespect towards citizens would not be tolerated.
Earlier in 2026, Disu also ordered disciplinary action following the fatal shooting of civilian Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State. Reports indicated that internal disciplinary processes recommended the dismissal and criminal prosecution of officers implicated in the incident, with the IGP maintaining that police personnel themselves must remain accountable to the law.
Those actions underline a central part of the latest message: respect for due process must apply both to members of the public accused of crimes and to law enforcement personnel accused of misconduct.
Building Confidence in Lawful Institutions
Nigeria has faced longstanding public concerns over access to justice, delays in criminal investigations and confidence in law enforcement institutions. Addressing those concerns remains important because citizens are more likely to rely on formal institutions when they believe allegations will be investigated promptly, professionally and transparently.
For the Police, therefore, discouraging mob justice also places an obligation on officers to respond effectively when crimes are reported.
Citizens who hand suspects over to law enforcement authorities expect allegations to be investigated and, where evidence supports prosecution, for appropriate legal processes to follow.
Accountability on both sides is crucial. Members of the public are expected to avoid violence and respect the presumption of innocence, while security agencies must demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and respect for fundamental rights.
The IGP’s statement also carries significance in the digital age, where accusations can reach thousands or millions of people within hours.
Online outrage can sometimes create pressure for immediate punishment before relevant facts have been independently established. Nigerians are therefore encouraged to distinguish between demanding accountability and declaring a person guilty without investigation or judicial determination.
‘Let the Law Take Its Course’
Disu maintained that justice cannot be achieved by abandoning the very legal principles intended to protect society.
The IGP urged Nigerians who witness suspected criminal activity to report such incidents to appropriate security agencies rather than resorting to physical attacks, retaliation or other forms of self-help.
His message is that justice must remain fair regardless of the identity of the complainant, suspect or institution involved.
For Nigeria’s criminal justice system, strengthening public confidence will require continued improvements in investigation, accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights. At the same time, communities have a role to play by providing credible information to security agencies and refusing to participate in mob violence.
Ultimately, the Inspector-General’s appeal centres on a fundamental principle of justice: allegations should be investigated, evidence should determine the appropriate course of action, and accused persons should be given an opportunity to respond.
“Let the law take its course,” the IGP said.
For the Nigeria Police Force, the objective is clear justice must not be determined by anger, popularity or mob pressure, but through a process that is fair, lawful and impartial.
