ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A disturbing incident unfolded in the Dei Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a mob descended upon five officers from the Gwagwa police division on Thursday evening.
The officers had rushed to the scene to rescue an individual named Mubarak, who was facing an imminent lynching due to allegations of causing the disappearance of a man’s organ.
The turmoil began when an unidentified man claimed that his manhood had vanished after an encounter with the suspect in question. In a desperate bid to compel the suspect to rectify the situation, the enraged mob resorted to violence, subjecting him to a brutal beating.
The situation escalated when the police arrived at the scene, aiming to restore order and protect the suspect. Instead, the mob turned their aggression towards the officers, unleashing a vicious attack on them and even destroying their police van. Despite the police’s efforts, the mob adamantly refused to release the suspect into their custody.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers while attempting to maintain peace and prevent acts of vigilante justice in such volatile situations.
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The eyewitness said, “On Thursday evening at Dei-Dei Timber market, a man called Mubarak was attacked by an angry mob after a man said his manhood went missing after having contact with him. He cried out for help and some people gathered round Mubarak. He was beaten and almost lynched when about five policemen came to the scene to rescue him. All efforts by the police to ensure that the mob released Mubarak to them fell on deaf ears.
“The mob then turned to the policemen and destroyed their vehicle. Those who escaped, called their office and they reinforced to the place. The whole area was tensed yesterday and we are not even sure what would happen next. This manhood issue is getting out of hand now, it is time we do something about it,” he pleaded.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said, “Our men deployed to the scene to rescue the man was attacked. Reinforcement was immediately deployed. Normalcy has been restored to the area. Lawful citizens can go about their activities without fear.”
She added that “The CP condemned in strong terms the attack on policemen. He has ordered those involved should be arrested. We are for the umpteenth time warning against mob attacks, particularly on the issue of organ disappearance. We have arrested 14 people involved, and we will continue to do so.”