The FCT Police Command has advised residents against taking the laws into their hand by resorting to jungle justice, even as the command has assured of adequate security of lives and property within the territory.
The command made gave the advice in reaction to Tuesday mob action against suspected one–chance robbers along the Kubwa Express Way, Abuja.
A press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said: “In furtherance of efforts to protect lives, uphold the rights of every citizen to fair hearing and discourage jungle justice, the FCT Police Command has rescued four members of a suspected one-chance robbery syndicate from being lynched by an angry Mob along Kubwa express way, Abuja.
“The prompt intervention of the Police patrol team on routine patrol along the route saved the four members of the syndicate, namely: Lydia Agabi, 23; Glory George, 24; Ifeoma Ekweme, 39; and Eleojo David, 37; from a mob that had already set the suspects’ operational car ablaze.
“Upon arrival to the scene, the Police team ensured that the four suspects, including three female, who were stripped by the angry mob, were rescued and taken into safe custody.”
He said, “Investigation revealed that the one-chance robbery syndicate operates along Kubwa Expressway and on the said date, they robbed an unsuspecting female passenger of N83,000.
“The victim who had boarded the operational car used by the syndicate from Deidei en-route Dutse Alhaji was robbed along the way of her phone and cash. However, the suspects were intercepted by commuters following the alarm raised by the victim.”
According to him, “The Command, while not being insensitive to the criminal activities of the suspects, condemns in totality the practice of resorting to jungle justice. Stripping the three female suspects naked in public was totally uncalled for!
“The suspects have been given medical attention and are cooperating with the Police in the on-going investigation. The Command is hereby assuring members of the public that efforts are being intensified to arrest the one-chance syndrome in the FCT.”
Meanwhile, the PPRO said one Ifeanyi Kanu, 27, who escaped with the money robbed from the victim, has been arrested and N53,000 has so far been recovered from him as exhibit. The victim’s phone has also been recovered from the suspects.
