The Plateau State Police Command has arrested some female students following the emergence of a viral video allegedly showing them assaulting another female student in Pankshin Local Government Area of the state.
The incident has generated public concern after footage of the alleged assault circulated widely on social media, prompting calls for security authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Command, SP Alfred Alabo, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued in Jos on Friday. He said the Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, ordered immediate action after becoming aware of the video.
According to Alabo, the Commissioner directed the Area Commander in Pankshin Local Government Area to investigate the incident and arrest the individuals involved. The directive, he said, was promptly carried out.
“Immediately the CP got wind of it, he directed the Area Commander in Pankshin LGC to act immediately, which they have done,” Alabo stated.
The police spokesman explained that the arrested students would first undergo preliminary investigation before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further interrogation and investigation.
He added that, upon completion of the investigation, the suspects would be charged before a court in accordance with the law.
The incident has also drawn attention to the growing problem of violence among young people and the increasing practice of recording violent encounters for publication on social media.
The police condemned the alleged assault, describing jungle justice and other forms of violence as criminal offences. Alabo warned that individuals who participate in violent acts could face additional legal consequences when they record and upload such incidents online.
According to him, committing an act of violence and subsequently recording or distributing it on social media could potentially result in multiple offences, including cybercrime-related charges.
“In the process of committing this crime, sometimes you will commit several other crimes,” the police spokesman said.
He specifically cautioned youths against taking the law into their own hands, urging people involved in disputes to seek intervention from appropriate authorities rather than resorting to physical violence.
“Learn to report to a third party that has the authority to hear your matter and give you the justice that you deserve,” Alabo said.
The police further appealed to residents of Plateau State to report grievances, criminal activities and disputes to the police or other relevant security agencies.
Alabo said timely and credible information from members of the public would assist security agencies in intervening before disagreements escalate into violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the arrested girls are students of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin.
The latest development comes amid broader concerns over the impact of social media on youth behaviour, particularly the growing tendency to record incidents of violence and circulate the footage online.
While the police have confirmed the arrests, the allegations against the students have yet to be determined by a court. The suspects remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence pending the outcome of investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
The Plateau State Police Command has therefore reiterated its warning against jungle justice and urged residents to use lawful channels to resolve disputes.
The command said it would continue to rely on public cooperation and credible information to prevent criminal activities and respond swiftly to incidents that threaten public safety.
