The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Rivers State has spoken out against mob action against suspects who engage in any form of criminality, stressing the need for residents to uphold the Rule of Law.

The State PCRC Chairman, Dr Voke Emore, who made the call in Port Harcourt, appealed to residents to desist from stripping, torturing and assaulting suspected thieves and other crime suspects.

He expressed support for the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, that suspects should not be subjected to inhuman treatment when they had not been tried and found guilty in a court of law.

Adepoju had at a press briefing on Thursday, August 13, 2026, warned residents against taking the law into their hands, stressing the need for them to hand over apprehended suspects to the police or other appropriate security agencies

Emore made the position of the organisation known in an interview with journalists, following the warning issued by CP Adepoju against mob action and jungle justice in the state.

Emore described the PCRC as a bridge between the community and the police and other security agencies, noting that it would intensify campaigns to educate residents on the need to uphold the Rule of Law.

He said, “As you know, PCRC is a bridge between the community and the police. In fact, now, it is not just the police alone; I will say it is a bridge between the community, the police and other security agencies.

“As a community-based organisation, in the coming days, we will commence various campaigns at the divisional, area command and community levels on the need for residents of the state to uphold the rule of law.

They should always hand over suspected thieves and other crime suspects to the police rather than resorting to mob action and jungle justice.

“Our Constitution says that a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Mob action and jungle justice hinder police investigations.

“In most cases, some persons subjected to jungle justice are later found to be innocent after the mob action.’

He added: “We understand the devastating impact of crime on victims, but mob action should not be an option because it does not bring the desired justice. We should also understand that mob action and jungle justice are crimes punishable under the law….

“I urge residents to continue to have faith in and believe in the Rivers State Police Command, as the command, under the leadership of CP Olugbenga Adepoju, is committed to combating all kinds of crime with a view to ensuring a peaceful Rivers State.”

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