An angry mob has lynched a suspected kidnapper, whose gang members abandoned before members of a security agency working in collaboration with the police arrival.
It was gathered that the seven man gang of kidnappers had while taking their victim along Obosi road, Awada, near Onitsha were accosted by the security agents.
A statement signed by Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga stated that six out of the seven kidnap suspects abandoned their victims and vehicles, and escaped when accosted by security operatives, abandoning one of them.
Ikenga said the incident happened at about 9pm on Thursday, but a mob killed the arrested kidnap suspect.
He said: “We rescued two kidnap victims, and recovered a Toyota Highlander jeep with reg nos NSH 398 HA and Toyota Camry with reg nos BRS 941 AA.
“Preliminary information, shows that security operatives intercepted a seven man kidnap gang along Awada, and in an attempt to arrest the criminals, six out of the seven gang members escaped and abandoned both the victim’s vehicle and their operational vehicle, also leaving behind their victim.
“The seventh person, arrested was lynched by an angry mob and set ablaze before police operatives could arrive the scene.”
Ikenga said following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng has condemned the killing of the suspect, saying that it amounted to taking the laws into their hands.
He said: “He (CP) condemned the act of mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of criminal allegations without recourse to the Police for proper investigation.
“He also urged them to always exercise restraint by not taking the law into their hands. They should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest Police Station whenever they are apprehended..
“This would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects; and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws.
“Meanwhile, police operatives have initiated operation aimed at arresting the fleeing gang members and suspects who took laws into their hands by setting ablaze the arrested suspect.”
