The police command in Ondo State says it has arrested four persons over alleged assault and defamatory social media publications.

Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s spokesperson, who made this known in a statement on Friday in Akure, condemned jungle justice, cyberbullying, and unlawful public humiliation of suspects.

Mr Jimoh explained that the arrest followed the reported assault and public humiliation of a resident whose video was unlawfully circulated on social media.

According to him, the case was reported on Thursday, July 23, at about 2:00 p.m. by Boluwaji Temidayo at the Okuta Elerinla Police Station.

The spokesperson said the complainant was attacked on July 21 by a group of people who recorded the incident without his consent and subsequently uploaded the video on various social media platforms.

He said the police immediately commenced an investigation into the viral video to identify those involved in the alleged assault and unlawful dissemination of the footage.

Mr Jimoh said four suspects were subsequently arrested and are currently in police custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others.

“Upon conclusion of the investigation, all persons found culpable will be charged to court in accordance with the law,” he said.

The police spokesperson condemned the growing trend of members of the public taking the law into their own hands by assaulting, molesting, humiliating, or publicly parading persons suspected of committing offences.

“Equally worrisome is the increasing practice of recording such incidents and sharing the videos on social media to ridicule, intimidate, or incite public hatred against individuals.

“A mere suspicion or allegation does not amount to guilt, and no individual or group has the legal authority to subject another person to physical assault, public humiliation, or any form of extrajudicial punishment. Citizens are, therefore, advised to refrain from engaging in acts of jungle justice or mob action under any circumstance,” he said.

Mr Jimoh called on the members of the public to always report suspected offenders to the nearest police station instead of resorting to violence or self-help.

“Individuals are also cautioned against recording, publishing, or circulating defamatory, misleading, or malicious content capable of violating another person’s rights or obstructing ongoing investigations.

“Justice is best served through lawful procedures and not through violence, intimidation, or trial by social media,” he said.

(NAN)