A middle aged man has been burnt to death over theft of motorcycle in Ugep, Yakurr local government area of Cross River State.
The victim was alleged to have murdered a motorcycle owner in Adim in Biase local government area of Cross River, stole his motorcycle and took it to Ugep with a bag of Garri to sell.
The incident occurred in the afternoon of Tuesday when the victim was burnt to death by aggrieved mob that condemned his purported action of murdering another man.
DAILY POST gathered that the victim was said to have attacked a motorbike owner in Adim who is a native of Ugep, stole his bike and found his way to Ugep with a bag of Garri to sell there.
Our correspondent gathered that luck ran out on him as he was apprehended when information got out. He was dragged to the Palace of the Obol Lopon of Ugep, who in turn called for the Police.
Disappointingly, some indigenes and residents of Ugep, who did not allow the Police to take the suspect away from the palace, snatched him from the police and burnt him to death.
An eyewitness, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned, described the incident as sad, adding that a young man was burnt to death in Ugep for allegedly killing his fellow man while trying to steal his bike.
“The level at which young men proliferate small arms and kill one another in recent times calls for the strictest measures,” he said.
“’This act of jungle justice is condemnable especially at a time when there is a national outcry against it, but in this particular case, I think it’s unavoidable.
“The jungle justice solution seems the best because if such culprits are apprehended and within a few weeks, they are found amongst us. It’s either a politician have made a call or the police as usual has compromised. It’s better we end it this way. Let the burning continue.”
When contacted on phone on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Irene Ugbo lamented the incident, saying that the Command had warn severally that members of the public should not take laws into their hands.
“I am surprise that people are still taking laws into their hands. We have warned severally that people should not take laws into their hands, report matters to the police but they refused. However, we are investigating the matter and those involved would be prosecuted,” she added.
