Two handcuffed suspected motorcycle thieves were yesterday seized from police custody and lynched on the spot in Delta State.
The two suspects, accused of stealing motorcycles, met their brutal end at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North local government area of Delta State when enraged youths overpowered law enforcement officers and killed them.
The violent mob action has sparked widespread outrage and shock in Issele-Uku, a town known for its deep cultural and peaceful values and raising concerns about rising jungle justice and the breakdown of law and order.
President-general of the Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU), Mr Offordile Uge, condemned the incident, describing it as a violation of the community’s principles.
He emphasized the need for law enforcement agencies to follow strict protocols during arrests, ensuring that suspects are protected from mobs.
He also called for consultations with traditional elders to cleanse the town of the violence that has tainted its land.
Uge further expressed the community’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to maintain peace and prevent criminal activities from escalating in the community.
“We strongly condemn this mob action. Issele-Uku is a sacred town that values peace and abhors jungle justice. This act of lawlessness is unacceptable and goes against everything we stand for.
“It is disturbing that these suspects were taken from the hands of the police and lynched. We will continue to collaborate with the police and other security forces to safeguard our town from becoming a haven for criminals,” Uge said.
He urged the police to enforce their rules of engagement more rigorously to prevent mobs from taking matters into their own hands, potentially endangering both suspects and law enforcement officers.
“As a traditionally-minded community, we will also consult our elders to perform rituals that cleanse the land of this senseless bloodshed. This violence does not reflect who we are as a people,” he stated.
Uge said the shocking incident highlights the dangers of jungle justice in Nigeria, where mob actions often replace due legal processes, leading to tragic outcomes.
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