The Director General of the Arewa Cohesion Initiative for Peace and Unity, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, has called on Nigerians, particularly those in the North to avoid all forms of jungle justice, but to promote dialogue and peaceful co-existence.
Dr. Idris made the appeal in a statement made available to the press in Kaduna, North West of the country on Tuesday, following what he called “growing concerns over incidents of mob attacks and extrajudicial killings in some communities,” describing such as a dangerous practice that undermines the rule of law, threatening innocent lives, and weakening public confidence in the justice system.
He stressed that no individual has the legal authority to take the law into his own hands, regardless of the circumstances emphasizing that every suspect deserves a fair hearing in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Nigeria.
The Director General urged citizens to remain calm during periods of tension and to promptly report suspected criminals or security concerns to the appropriate law enforcement agencies instead of resorting to violence.
Dr. Idris also appealed to community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and civil society organizations to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and respect for human life.
He emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved when communities work together with security agencies to promote justice, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The Arewa Cohesion Initiative for Peace and Unity, he said, reaffirms its commitment to promoting peace, unity, social cohesion, and conflict prevention across Northern Nigeria.
The organization also called on all Nigerians to uphold the values of patience, compassion, and respect for the rule of law as the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous society.
