Two Suspected Thieves Set on Fire by Angry Mob in Anambra

The mob first lynched the suspects before proceeding to set them on fire, as recounted by witnesses in the area.

According to a source, “The tricycle operator had dropped a passenger and his goods in the market, and as he was about to move, those boys approached him and attempted to dispossess him of his money before the mob descended on them, lynched them before setting them ablaze.”

Attempts to reach out to market leaders for comments on the incident were unsuccessful.

However, the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the incident had indeed occurred.

Ikenga condemned the act on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, and urged the public to always report offenders to the nearest police station for appropriate action.

He stated, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has condemned the act and reiterated his call for members of the public to always take offenders to the nearest police station for necessary policing actions, particularly the conduct of appropriate investigations.”

“The CP has, therefore, ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.”

He added, “Meanwhile, preliminary information revealed that the two male suspects, who were later simply identified as Omaume and Monday, are members of a notorious armed robbery gang led by one Itanda (male), already in the Correctional Service Custodial Centre.”

“The gang is alleged to be responsible for several attacks and the dispossession of traders and unsuspecting victims of their personal belongings at the Main Market, Onitsha.”