…the phone snatchers were reportedly set ablaze by angry mob after they were apprehended
Five persons suspected to be phone snatchers were allegedly burnt to death along Old People’s Club Road in Okpuno village, Awka, Anambra State.
The deceased were said to have been set ablaze on Saturday by angry mob after they were apprehended while attempting to rob some passers-by of their phones.
The area is said to be notorious for different kinds of robbery, particularly phone snatching which usually happened during early, lonely and late hours of the day.
A trending video from the scene showed one of the suspects lying lifeless on the road half-naked and surrounded by the crowd, who were still heaping abuses and weapons on him; while his accomplices were already on fire.
The mob were also seen throwing tyres, planks and other combustibles on the suspect, just as they fondled with his genital organ before eventually liting him up after pouring fuel on him.
Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying the suspects has already been set ablaze before arrival of the police.
He said five phones and a tricycle were recovered from the lynched suspects, adding that investigations have commenced.
He said, “Before the police operatives got to the scene at about 5:30 pm, the suspects has already been set ablaze.
“The Operatives recovered 5 phones of different brands and a tricycle suspected to have been stolen by the suspects who were lynched.
“Meanwhile, the Command condemns this act in totality and has always encouraged the public to take suspects to police stations whenever they are apprehended.
“This will help the Police to conduct proper investigations into the activities of the suspects and bring them to justice under extant laws.
“Investigation is still ongoing and further development shall be communicated.”
