The Plateau State Police Command has arrested some female students over a viral video showing them allegedly attacking another female student in Pankshin Local Government Area.
The arrests are the first reported police action since Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu ordered police commissioners across Nigeria to treat every case of mob action as homicide.
Police spokesman SP Alfred Alabo said Commissioner of Police Ayodeji Faniyan ordered the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved after seeing the video.
“Immediately the CP got wind of it, he directed the Area Commander in Pankshin LGC to act immediately, which they have done,” Alabo said.
The arrested students will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary investigations and will be charged in court after the investigation is completed.
Alabo condemned the alleged attack and warned Nigerians against taking the law into their own hands.
He also warned that recording and posting violent acts on social media could lead to additional criminal charges.
“In the process of committing this crime, sometimes you will commit several other crimes,” he said.
“It is not just you beating somebody or meting violence against your fellow human being; even having the mind to record it is cybercrime,” Alabo added.
The police action comes four days after Disu directed all 36 state police commissioners and the Federal Capital Territory commissioner to treat mob action as homicide.
“I have directed all Commissioners of Police across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT to treat every case of mob action as homicide,” Disu said.
The IGP said police must fully investigate such cases and ensure those involved face prosecution.
He warned that no person or group has the right to arrest, try, convict or execute a suspect outside the law.
Disu also warned people who physically take part in mob attacks, assist them or encourage them that they would be held accountable.
Alabo urged Nigerians to report suspected offenders to the police instead.
“Stay clear of jungle justice.
"Report cases anytime you are aggrieved to the right and appropriate authority,” he said.
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