He was chased from the school cafeteria, down the stadium road and off to the mechanic village. People kept throwing stones at him and the number of runners kept increasing as they went on. It all began as a race of five chasing after a thief, the leader of a gang that had robbed and molested students for a long time, striping students of their mobile gadgets, money and even going as far as raping some. Their victim this time had managed to let out a scream and students who were studying at the lecture theatre abandoned their books, took to their heels and chased after them.

![images(16).jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1519560605/ohjbcdlwg6k7nk4nzutz.jpg)
[Image Source](https://goo.gl/images/hBG2qL) 

"Ole! Ino! Ole! Ino!” They kept screaming as they ran after them. Some diverted the stadium road and ran ahead. And finally, they caught him, seized him and tortured him. Heaps of stones were already on him as everyone just wanted to have their share of revenge with no feeling of pity or sympathy for a thief who despite being beaten by a mob of over thirty still claimed to be innocent. 

They were well convinced that he was an experienced thief for the girl who was robbed clearly said that the leader of the gang was fair skinned and wore a red shirt. Vehicles that passed packed and spat at him. Spat at the handsome guy that turned himself into a thief. Spat at the child whose mother must have toiled to raise. "I’m innocent. I’m just returning from watching a football match" he screamed but no one cared to listen to him. 

"Ole! Ino! Ole! Ino!” was the evening chorus as onlookers told passersby who in turn told any who cared to hear the news. In less than five minutes someone contributed a tyre. Another made provision for petrol and over five people had lighters with them. No one felt pity for him. No one believed his lies. They hung the tyre on his neck, spilled petrol on him and set him on fire. Then the police siren was heard from a distance and people began distancing themselves from the burnt offering. 

![images(17).jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1519560901/bunz6mxrjb5wcbixh2ni.jpg)
[Image Source](https://goo.gl/images/JyhVcP) 

The police drove in with a van loaded with men in the back, handcuffed  and tortured. “He is innocent” A soft voice screamed from the van as she jumped out and ran to the burning man, trying to blow off the fire with air from her mouth. “He is innocent; the thieves have been apprehended and are in the police van”.  Stones, wooden planks, and bottles landed on the ground as people took a second look at the Final year Law student that was on fire, struggling with dire pains. Burned for wearing red, burned for being fair skinned, burned for being innocent.
<hr>
This story is an act of **Jungle Justice,** a common practice where an alleged criminal is severely beaten, humiliated, in some cases murdered by a crowd or vigilantes. This action is inhumane, barbaric and unlawful. It is wrong to take the life of another. People see this as the fastest means for apprehending criminals, cos they lack faith in the judicial system. 

For crying out loud, we're in the 21st century! Why take laws into your hands? Are you killing the right person? I don't support stealing or any other criminal acts; but why fight crimes, acting like criminals? Just like from the story, it has claimed the lives of several innocent people. This barbaric act needs to be stopped, it is uncalled for. If a criminal is caught, hand him/her to the appropriate authorities, at least let justice be served. 

We are all humans, we need to show each other love, kindness and compassion. let's make the world a better place. 
*Say no to Jungle Justice and save a life today.*