Disu said Nigeria operates under the rule of law and that no individual or group has the authority to arrest, try, convict or punish a suspect outside the established justice system.
The IGP, in a video circulating on Tuesday, stressed that allegations of criminal conduct, including claims made on social media or videos showing alleged offences, do not constitute sufficient grounds for mob action.
“Nigeria operates under the rule of law, not mob rule. No citizen, no community, no group has the right to try, sentence or execute another person,” he said.
He noted that the 1999 Constitution guarantees every person, including criminal suspects, the rights to life, dignity and fair hearing, adding that an accused person remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
The police chief expressed concern over the number of innocent people killed following mere suspicion, rumours, mistaken identity and unverified allegations.
He cited cases involving students accused of stealing phones, travellers mistaken for criminals and young people attacked over allegations of blasphemy or ritual killings.
Disu also recalled the March 2025 killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo State, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of mob justice.
“That single incident should haunt every Nigerian every day,” the IGP said, stressing that a rumour, a cry of “thief” or a viral video does not give anyone the right to take another person’s life.
He warned that criminal liability could extend beyond those who physically attack or kill victims.
According to him, individuals who plan, incite, encourage or provide support for mob attacks could also be prosecuted, while those who mobilise crowds, obstruct security personnel or promote such violence may equally face criminal charges.
Disu disclosed that he had directed commissioners of police across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to treat every case of mob action as homicide and conduct comprehensive forensic and intelligence investigations.
He said the police would pursue not only alleged ringleaders but everyone identified as having participated in the violence.
“We will identify, arrest and prosecute not just the ringleaders, but everybody available, everybody we can identify who took part in it,” he said.
The IGP urged Nigerians to report suspected criminals to security agencies and allow the courts to determine their guilt, warning that seeking justice through mob violence can result in the killing of innocent people and expose participants to serious criminal prosecution.
