Have you noticed a growing trend across parts of Nigeria?
Instead of immediately handing over thieves to the police, or resorting to jungle justice, some communities are now forcing suspects to dance, carry stolen items, or endure public humiliation while being filmed.
The videos often end up on TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and X, attracting millions of views and thousands of comments, with some Nigerians applauding the practice as a non-violent alternative to mob justice, while others argue that it violates the rights of suspects and undermines the justice system.
So, is Nigeria returning to an old tradition? Or is this simply social media giving ancient practices a modern platform?
Public Shame Isn’t New
Long before colonial rule introduced modern courts and prisons, many Nigerian communities relied on traditional forms of justice.
Instead of lengthy court proceedings, offenders were often punished publicly. A thief could be marched around the village, made to confess before elders, or publicly identified so everyone knew what crime had been committed.
The objective was not simply punishment, It was deterrence as public humiliation was intended to discourage others from committing similar offences while reinforcing community values.
With the arrival of colonial legal systems and, later, Nigeria’s modern judicial institutions, imprisonment gradually replaced many of these customary sanctions.
Social Media Has Become the New Village Square
Today’s videos may look different, but the principle is remarkably similar, Instead of gathering people in the village square, communities now upload videos online where millions can watch.
The result is what many describe as “digital public shaming.”
Unlike traditional punishment, however, these videos remain online indefinitely, exposing suspects to permanent reputational damage—even before a court determines whether they are guilty.
From Jungle Justice to Public Humiliation?
Nigeria has long struggled with mob justice.
For years, suspected thieves were frequently beaten or even burned alive by angry crowds before police could intervene, while such incidents still occur, many observers believe there has been a noticeable shift.
Increasingly, communities appear more willing to restrain suspects, record videos, and wait for security agencies to take custody rather than immediately resorting to violence.
Several factors may explain this change.
Greater awareness of human rights, quicker police response in some urban areas, and the widespread use of smartphones have made people more conscious that mob killings themselves constitute criminal offences.
Although public humiliation raises legal and ethical concerns, some see it as a less violent alternative to lynching.
Does Public Humiliation Actually Prevent Crime?
This is where experts remain divided.
Supporters argue that shame is a powerful deterrent, particularly in societies where reputation carries significant social value.
A public parade may discourage first-time offenders who fear embarrassment before family, friends, and neighbours.
However, criminologists caution that public humiliation alone rarely prevents organised crime.
Professional kidnappers, armed robbers, terrorists, and criminal syndicates often operate despite knowing the severe consequences if caught.
Research consistently suggests that people are deterred less by the harshness of punishment than by the certainty of being caught.
In other words, effective policing and swift justice are generally stronger deterrents than public embarrassment.
Should Security Agencies Parade Bandits and Terrorists?
This question generates even greater debate, with many arguing that publicly presenting arrested kidnappers, terrorists, or bandits demonstrates government success and reassures citizens that dangerous criminals are being removed from society.
It may also strengthen public confidence in security agencies.
However, there are important concerns, under Nigeria’s Constitution, every suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, so publicly displaying suspects before trial could prejudice future court proceedings and unfairly damage reputations if investigations later prove mistaken.
There are also operational risks as security experts note that revealing suspects too early could compromise intelligence gathering, expose ongoing investigations, or even allow accomplices to evade arrest.
In the case of extremist organisations, excessive publicity may unintentionally amplify the notoriety these groups seek.
The Bigger Question
Perhaps the real issue is not whether public parading should continue.
Rather, it is why many Nigerians still feel that visible humiliation provides stronger reassurance than the judicial process itself.
In countries where justice systems enjoy high public confidence, citizens rarely demand public spectacles because they trust courts to deliver accountability.
In Nigeria, however, delayed trials, prison congestion, and perceptions of selective justice have contributed to declining public trust.
The popularity of public parading may therefore reflect something deeper: a desire for visible justice in a society where many citizens worry that offenders will eventually escape punishment.
Beyond Shame
Public humiliation may satisfy public anger in the short term.
But lasting security depends on stronger institutions, faster courts, professional policing, and greater confidence that justice will be done without sacrificing fundamental rights.
The challenge for Nigeria is finding the balance between public accountability and the rule of law.
If justice is to deter crime effectively, it must not only be visible, it must also be fair.
