Police warn against jungle justice as suspected motorcycle thief is lynched in Abia

The Abia State Police Command has reiterated its warning against all forms of jungle justice in any part of the State, advising that suspected criminals should be reported for investigation rather than being lynched.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, who made the call on a radio sensitization program, was reacting to reports about jungle justice in some areas of the State, including the recent lynching of a man identified as Ikechi Kalu, who was alleged to have stolen a motorcycle in one of the clans of Arochukwu LGA of the State.

The late Kalu, who was said to be a father of one child, was alleged to have stolen a motorcycle belonging to another man in November, which reportedly made some youths arrest and “convict” him for the crime before setting him ablaze with tyres.

An alleged video of the lynching trending on the internet showed the jungle justice victim being beaten before being set ablaze.

Chinaka called on Abia residents to report any suspected criminals or alleged defaulters of laws and allowed the police to take up the matters in accordance with the law.

She added that some persons who indulged in jungle justice have already been arrested, saying more would be arrested.