By Amara Ehia, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi state Police Command Thursday arraigned three suspects allegedly involved in the mob attack on a woman at the International Market, Abakaliki, warning residents against jungle justice and other forms of self-help.
Quoting Police signal No. AZ.:5200/EBS/PPRO/VOL.9/77, the command identified the suspects as Nwokedi Charles, Ekwunife Chidubem and Okapala Chiamaka.
The command disclosed that the suspects were arraigned after the conclusion of investigations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, following the incident which sparked public outrage in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement said the commissioner had earlier condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
According to the statement, CP Okafor immediately directed a thorough, diligent and impartial investigation into the matter to ensure that everyone connected with the incident was brought to justice.
The police said the suspects were subsequently charged to court for their alleged involvement in the assault on the victim at the popular market.
The command reiterated its zero tolerance for jungle justice, stressing that mob action remained a criminal offence punishable under the law.
It urged members of the public to always report suspected criminals to security agencies instead of taking laws into their hands.
The command further warned that anyone found engaging in jungle justice or any form of unlawful punishment would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
