Jungle Justice: Skales Explains Why Nigeria’s Crime Rate Appears Lower Than The UK

Afrobeats singer Skales has shared his controversial perspective on why Nigeria may report fewer criminal cases than the United Kingdom, attributing it to jungle justice, a form of extrajudicial punishment.

In a recent appearance on the Just Vibes podcast, the singer explained that many criminals in Nigeria are deterred from committing crimes due to the fear of mob justice, where suspects are often punished on the spot—sometimes fatally—before the legal system gets involved.

“There’s less crime in Nigeria than in the UK because people know they could face jungle justice if caught. They might even be burned alive,” he said during the interview.

While Skales made this bold claim, he was quick to clarify that he does not support or advocate for jungle justice, acknowledging that it bypasses legal processes and violates human rights.

Skales on Afrobeats: “It’s Not a Fixed Genre”

In the same interview, Skales also discussed the Afrobeats music style, a genre that has gained global popularity. According to him, Afrobeats is more of an umbrella term rather than a specific genre with strict sound guidelines.

“Nobody can really define what Afrobeats is supposed to sound like,” he added, pointing out that the genre embraces a wide range of influences and styles.

This aligns with the general sentiment in the Nigerian music industry where artists blend elements of hip-hop, highlife, reggae, and traditional African rhythms under the broad category of Afrobeats.

Is Jungle Justice a Crime Deterrent or a Social Threat?

While Skales’ viewpoint has sparked discussion, human rights groups and legal experts have consistently condemned jungle justice as a dangerous and unlawful practice. It reflects the lack of trust in the judicial system and poses a significant threat to innocent lives.

According to a 2023 Human Rights Watch report, mob violence and extrajudicial punishment often lead to the death of suspects without due process—a trend that violates both national laws and international human rights standards.