‘Dance of Shame’: How Nigerians turn suspected thieves into social media content
By Emmanuel Okogba
A growing social media trend in Nigeria has seen people accused of theft being made to dance after they are apprehended, with videos of the incidents attracting widespread attention online.
Often described by social media users as the “Dance of Shame” or “Criminals Got Talent,” the practice has emerged in some communities as an alternative to immediate physical confrontation when suspected thieves are caught.
In several videos shared across platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, people accused of stealing are surrounded by members of the public and instructed to dance or perform humorous movements while waiting for the matter to be resolved.
The incidents reportedly involve different kinds of alleged theft, ranging from building materials and household items to farm produce and livestock.
Rather than resorting immediately to physical punishment, members of the crowd sometimes turn the situation into a public spectacle, with the suspect instructed to perform energetic dance moves or other actions.
Some of the videos have attracted particular attention because the suspects demonstrate unexpected dancing abilities, prompting viewers to focus as much on their performances as on the circumstances that led to their apprehension.
The trend has generated mixed reactions online, with some users regarding it as humorous content while others have raised questions about the ethics of publicly humiliating people who have not been convicted of an offence.
For some observers, the practice may also represent an attempt by members of the public to prevent mob violence.
Nigeria has experienced incidents of mob justice in which people suspected of committing crimes have been subjected to serious physical harm. Against that background, making a suspect perform a dance may appear to some communities to be a less violent response while they wait for security personnel or other authorities.
However, legal and human-rights concerns remain. Being accused of an offence does not establish guilt, and members of the public do not have the authority to determine criminal responsibility.
Publicly recording and circulating videos of suspects can also expose individuals to embarrassment and lasting reputational consequences, particularly when footage continues to circulate after the circumstances of the incident have been resolved.
The popularity of the videos has been amplified by Nigeria’s vibrant social media culture, where unusual incidents can quickly become viral entertainment.
While some people see the practice as a peaceful alternative to physical punishment, others argue that public humiliation should not replace proper legal procedures.
Security and legal experts generally advise members of the public to hand suspected offenders over to the appropriate authorities rather than taking enforcement into their own hands.
Specifically, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Lagos State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abimbola Adebisi condemned the act, saying, “we are against this practice. Anyone caught should be added over to the nearest police station.”
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