BY CHIJIOKE OYE
Two suspected motorcycle thieves have been lynched by an angry mob in Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
Sources who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that a mob attacked two motorcycle thieves who are allegedly behind the increase in the stealing of people’s motorcycles in Issele-Uku.
According to our source, luck ran out for the two as they snatched a motorcycle along the Garage at Afor Market Square, adding that they were tracked after snatching and killing another commercial motorcyclist.
An eye witness disclosed that as he came to open his shop, he saw a burnt human carcass in the centre of Garage Road, adding that nobody was able to identify who the suspect was.
Contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Issele-Uku Division, disclosed that they swung into action on getting a distress call, only to rescue the remains of one of the unidentified robbery suspects whom the mob were not able to set ablaze on sighting the police.
Meanwhile, the Aniocha North environmental officers gathered at the scene of the crime with directives from the local government chairman to evacuate the carcass of the burnt robbery suspect.
The Head of the environmental officers, Mr Raphael Onwuegbuzia, frowned at the scene, noting that youths must not resort to robbery as a means of survival. Onwuegbuzia said that the Chairman had directed that they evacuate the suspect’s remains from the street.
… We Won’t Tolerate Youths Taking Laws Into Their Hands –Idu
Meanwhile, the Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU) has cautioned youths and other residents in the area to desist from taking the laws into their own hands. The warning became necessary in the wake of the recent mob action that resulted in the death of two suspected motorcycle thieves in the town.
The community’s President-General, Mr Offordile Uge said “We condemn this behaviour in its entirety; Issele Uku is a sacred town that abhors human blood on its soil through jungle Justice.
‘’We are a peaceful and hospitable people, and that is why our forebears were against any form of killing that involves human blood.
“We understand that the population of Issele-Uku is surging, being the Aniocha North Local Government headquarters. People within and outside the local government area come to do business and live; we intend to accommodate everybody that comes into our domain with openness of mind, but what we will not accept is mindless indulgence in criminality.
“For the past months, our people have not been sleeping well because of the activities of burglars armed robbers and kidnappers running amok in our town. We will continue to work with the Police and other security agencies to checkmate the activities of strangers, and residents before they turn our peaceful community into a haven for criminals.
‘’However, it is most unfortunate that criminals who were arrested and put in handcuffs by the police could be retrieved from them and lynched. We sincerely advise that security agencies should always enforce their rules of engagement during the arrest of criminals to avoid mobs from venting their anger on the suspects.
“As a traditionally minded community, we will consult with the elders to see how to carry out cleansing on the land’’ he concluded.
