A growing wave of public humiliation of suspected thieves is drawing national attention as disturbing videos circulating on social media show alleged offenders being subjected to degrading punishments instead of being handed over to law enforcement authorities.
The trend, which has surfaced in different parts of Nigeria but appears particularly common in Benin City, Edo State, and Asaba, Delta State, has sparked a heated debate over justice, human rights and the rule of law. While some Nigerians view the acts as a response to rising theft, others warn that they amount to jungle justice and undermine the country’s legal system.
One of the latest viral videos shows two young men accused of stealing a bag of fresh pepper being forced to eat the raw peppers while drinking dry gin. The pair were seated beside the allegedly stolen bag as onlookers ordered them to consume the peppers, with the incident attracting thousands of reactions online.
Although the exact location of the incident has not been independently verified, voices in the video appear to speak Igbo. As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by security agencies regarding the incident.
The pepper video is one of several clips that have recently gone viral. In another widely shared recording believed to have been filmed in Benin City, a man accused of stealing electrical wires was forced to weave the wires into a makeshift crown and wear them while being mocked by a crowd. He was also compelled to rap as spectators recorded the scene.
Other videos have shown suspected thieves allegedly being forced to dance, sing or perform before cheering crowds. One clip featured a man accused of stealing cooking pots dancing while the recovered items were displayed around him. Another video from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) showed a man accused of stealing laptops being forced to dance before a crowd.
Earlier this year, another viral video from Asaba showed two men allegedly being beaten by an angry mob after they were accused of theft. Similar incidents have also been reported in Benin City, where suspects have allegedly been stripped, paraded or assaulted while bystanders filmed and shared the footage on social media.
Public affairs analyst Simon Zion said the trend had become so widespread that public humiliation now appeared to be replacing lawful prosecution in the eyes of many Nigerians.
“If you don’t have any talent, please don’t steal in Nigeria at this time. If you’re caught and you can’t sing or dance, you’re on your own. It’s now a season of 99 days for the owner and one day for the thief,” he said.
However, legal practitioners have warned that such actions violate the rights of suspects and could expose participants to criminal liability. Abuja-based lawyer David Mike Agada stressed that every accused person remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court and that members of the public have no authority to impose punishment.
“The law is very clear. A suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Subjecting anyone to public humiliation, assault or degrading treatment is unlawful,” Agada said, urging Nigerians to hand over suspected offenders to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
As more of these videos continue to circulate online, concerns are mounting over the growing acceptance of mob justice and whether public outrage over crime is gradually replacing due process in parts of the country.
