Jungle justice: Have we finally lost it?

Societies evolve over time and the inherent drive towards this change in the socioeconomic sphere of humans is family values; the first contact of a child’s worldview to life. This important cord of every sane society is now missing in most Nigerian homes as evidence in our sense of judgment, education and interpersonal relationship. One can only wonder how mob justice has become a trend even among educated Nigerians.

When terrible incidents take place, you begin to question our collective sensibility as a people. The killing of Ahize Okoli, a 500-level student of the Civil Engineering department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, calls for concern.

Okoli was reportedly beaten to death by a mob on suspicion that he stole a mobile phone. He was killed by university students who should be well educated and take appropriate actions when necessary. Unfortunately, university education in Nigeria no longer guarantees saner minds or a saner society.

Most people don’t typically consider family values until they have to discipline their children for undesirable behaviour. Family values are significant, nevertheless, and should not be disregarded. By considering your family’s values and establishing them in our children at a young age, one may show them what we expect of them when we aren’t around or when they go outside. Kids pick up things from what we do and say. Encourage good family decisions and conduct by living a family life that makes you and society proud. Moral ideas and significant family values will serve as useful compass points throughout life. We must not let loose of this important culture as a people.

Uthman Qasim resides in Abuja and can be reached via uthmanqasim5@gmail.com