Akwa Ibom State Ethical and Attitudinal Re-orientation Commission, EARCOM, has decried the rising spate of extra-judicial killings across communities in the state and especially within Uyo the state capital in recent times.

The Commission’s Head of Logistics and Maintenance, Hon. Tommy Enodien who condemned the act while addressing some newsmen yesterday in Uyo, urged the citizens to stop executing extra-judicial punishment whenever suspected criminals were caught.

Enodien frowned at the recent cases where suspected thieves were roasted alive in Okopedi, , Use Offot, Ibiaku villagesand Ikot Oduot in Okobo, Uyo andIbesikpo Asutan local government areas respectively.

He described jungle justice was barbaric and unacceptable.

He recalled that the State Police command has severally warned the perpetrators to desist, adding that EARCOM, wishes to remind the citizens that the prohibition order against the heinous act was still in force.

“EARCOM urges the public to exercise restraint in dealing with suspects and not to jump to conclusion on alarm raised by anybody as there may be risks of mistaken identity.

“Some innocent persons have suffered death, grave injuries and irreversible bodily harm through jungle justice in the past.

“Although members of the public can apprehend suspected criminals, the law provides that such persons, when caught, should be handed over to the Police immediately for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

“Only the Courts can convict a suspect of crime as the laws presume the accused person to be innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction” Enodien advised.

The Commission, therefore, called oncommunity leaders, and particularly the youth leaders to sensitise their people on the need to desist from taken laws into their hands. (Vanguard)