Mob Sets Tricycle Thief Ablaze, Police Rescue 2 Others In A/Ibom

Angry youths have administered ‘jungle justice’ on a criminal suspect, setting him ablaze in Itam area of Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

According to one Nsifon Anwangaobong, a local food vendor at the popular Itam International market, near Uyo, the state capital, the armed hoodlum “was trying to escape with a stolen tricycle, but was unlucky to be apprehended by some vigilance youths of Itam, who ensured he was killed before the arrival the Police operatives from the nearby Itam ‘D’ Division.”

However, the state Police Command headquarters at Ikot Akpanabia, has confirmed the rescue of two other criminals from being burnt after they were apprehended with items including a generator stolen from a Church, and two bottles of Campari Brandy, stolen from a Supermarket.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, who warned the youths against taking the laws into their own hands by administering jungle justice on suspected criminals, said the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, “is miffed at such primitive act,” adding that the CP has vowed to investigate and to prosecute the perpetrators.

He identified the criminal elements rescued in the process of being roasted to include: “One Ubong Sunny Ossom, of Ikot Edebe village in Nsit Atai LGA, who stole 2 bottles of Campari Brandy at Godslight Supermarket, Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan LGA, and one Christian Effiong, of Nung Atai Okobo village, in Okobo LGA, who stole a generator at Mount Zion church, Ikot Ambon, in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.”

He said: “Both of them were rescued at the verge of being burnt after they were caught for stealing. This trend is becoming too frequent and alarming.

“Whereas the Command condemns in totality the act of stealing which is a crime, but subjecting the perpetrators to jungle justice is not in tandem with our legal system. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, has therefore warned perpetrators to desist forthwith or face arrest and prosecution.”