ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – About five persons suspected to be phone snatchers have been burnt to death by irate mob in Anambra State.
The incident occurred along Old People’s Club Road in Okpuno community, Awka, the State capital.
The deceased were said to have been set ablaze Saturday evening by the irate mob after they were apprehended while attempting to rob passers-by of their phones.
It was gathered that the area has been notorious for different kinds of robbery, particularly phone snatching which usually occurred 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. He was surrounded by the crowd, who were heaping abuses and weapons on him; while his accomplices were already on fire.
Also, the mob were seen throwing tyres, planks and other combustibles on the lifeless suspect, just as they fondled with his genital organ before eventually lighting him up after pouring fuel on him.
Confirming the incident, Anambra police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspects have already been set ablaze before arrival of the police.
Ikenga 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.”