Juliana Francis
A suspected kidnapper has been burnt alive after invading a residential building along with his gang members to rob and then attempted to abduct a female victiminAnambra State.
The unfortunate kidnapper, who is also alleged of being an armed robber, with members of his gang attacked the residential, robbed occupants, and then attempted to abduct a female occupant.
The fleeing suspects were pursued by angry residents, who caught up with two of the suspects, while others fled.
The crowd pounced on one of the suspects and set him on fire amidst screams and pleadings. The second suspect would have been also burnt alive but for the quick intervention of Policemen from the Anambra State Police Command.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ikenga Tochukwu, while condemning jungle justice, said that the command commended the community efforts in the apprehension of suspects.
According to Tochukwu, in the early hours of today 3rd of May 2023, police operatives attached to the Ogbunike division responding to a distress call along St Monica College Ogbunike Road, arrested 22 years old Mr Jamui Emiron and recovered one already damaged yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with Anambra registration number UKP 729 A.
Tochukwu explained: “The suspect is among a gang of armed robbers that attacked and robbed occupants of a residential house in Ezi-Ogidi, abducted a female victim, and was en route to their den before police were alerted. “The members of the neighbourhood had already supported the police by blocking the exit points within the area, intercepting the vehicle, and apprehending two of the gang members while others escape. “Unfortunately, upon the arrival of the police operatives, one of the suspects has already been set ablaze by the angry mob and the criminal operational vehicle was badly damaged. The Operatives rescued the victim, the second suspect and recover the vehicle.”
The image maker said that the Command while reiterating the campaign against mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of any crime, commended the efforts and courage of community members in the apprehension of suspects but encourage them to take such suspect to the nearest Police Station whenever they are apprehended.
“This would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct an appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects and bring them to justice following extant laws,” said the PPRO.
He further noted: “The rescued victim has been taken to the hospital and is currently receiving medical treatment while the second suspect is in custody and is helping the Police with useful information in the ongoing operation to arrest other fleeing gang members.”