Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Chris Owolabi, has warned youths and communities in the state to stop taking the laws into their hands.
Owolabi’s warning came following the burning to death of no fewer than five suspected criminals in some communities by the youths.
Reacting to the situation on Friday, the CP warned against such extrajudicial killings.
While thanking communities and youths of the state for assisting in crime control in the state, the CP enjoined them to hand such suspects to the police.
A statement by the State Police Public Relations, Ikenga Tochukwu, condemned any act of jungle justice in the circumstances.
The statement read in part,” The Anambra State Police Command has noted with great concern the increase in cases of mob action in the state by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of criminal allegations without recourse to the police for proper investigation.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police ,Chris Owolabi, while thanking members of the public for assisting the police in apprehending suspected criminals also urged them to always exercise restraint by not taking the law into their hands.
“They should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest police station whenever they are apprehended. This would afford the police the opportunity to conduct appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects; and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws.
“To this end, residents of the state are enjoined to remain law-abiding and vigilant”.
Four suspected criminals were reportedly burnt to death in Nkpo and Obosi communities the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state on Thursday by youths of the area while one was killed in similar circumstance in Oye Agu in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
In a related development, five suspected cult members were killed on Thursday in different locations in cult war in Awka, the state capital
Focus Naija