AKWA IBOM: MOB SETS MAN ABLAZE OVER ALLEGED MOTORCYCLE THEFT

Read Time:1 Minute, 37 Second

By: Balogun Ibrahim

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of an unidentified man who was allegedly attacked and set ablaze by a mob at Ikpe Ikot Akpan Village along the Ikot Ekpene–Uyo Road.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

John said the incident occurred at about 7:05 am after the deceased was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle belonging to one Idoroenyin Udo.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary findings showed that Udo allegedly resisted the attempted theft and raised an alarm, prompting some residents to chase and apprehend the suspect.

“Instead of handing him over to the police for proper investigation, some members of the mob allegedly took the law into their own hands, assaulted the suspect and subsequently set him ablaze, resulting in his death,” John stated.

She said police operatives were deployed to the scene immediately after receiving the distress call, while an investigation into the incident commenced.

John added that the command had intensified efforts to identify and arrest those allegedly involved in the mob action, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The PPRO quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, as condemning the incident and warning residents against resorting to jungle justice.

The commissioner stressed that no individual or group had the authority to determine the guilt of a suspect or impose punishment outside the law.

The command urged residents to hand suspected criminals over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution rather than taking the law into their own hands.

It warned that jungle justice is unlawful and dangerous, noting that such actions can destroy evidence, undermine investigations and result in the wrongful killing of innocent people.

The police said the investigation was ongoing, while efforts continued to apprehend all persons allegedly connected with the incident.