Tension flared in Afaha Oku community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as angry youths descended and burnt two Hausa scrap metal dealers for killing a youth of the area.
The incident, according to Vanguard correspondent, happened on Sunday, January, 2, 2022 about 9:00 a.m. when many residents of the area had gone to church for New Year service.
Sources from the area said the youth identified as Anietie, who was beaten to coma by the Hausa boys was rushed to the hospital immediately, but he died on the way.
Related News:
- JTF Nabs 10 Suspects Over Killing Of Security Operatives In Akwa Ibom
- Hunter Flees After Killing Kinsman In Akwa Ibom
- Mob Lynches Three Robbery Suspects in Akwa Ibom
A resident of the area who simply identified himself as Mr. Wisdom said, “What happened is that that youth the two Hausa scrap metal collectors killed is an indigene of this Afaha Oku village.
“According to an eyewitness, Anietie went to collect his clothes from a dry cleaner Sunday morning. While returning to his compound, he sighted the two Hausa scrap metal collectors with some items they removed. There is also a welding shop in front of the compound.
“I learnt that he accosted them and asked them what they were doing in his compound; that who gave them permission to remove things from the compound, so they two Hausa boys beat him and he collapsed. When Anietie’s brother who was inside the house saw what happened he raised the alarm.
” People now came out and caught the two scrap metal collectors. I learnt that the boy died on the way while he was being rushed to the hospital. So it was the news of his death that now got the youths angry, they now descended on those two Hausa boys, threw them inside the gutter and burnt them to death.
“That was how those three people died in this area on Sunday. Security Agencies, the Army and Police arrived at the scene of the incident immediately, because around 10 a.m. that I saw both the police and Army loaded in their trucks and patrolling the whole area.”
Confirming the tragic incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko MacDon regretted that the deaths would have been averted if both the youths of the area and scrap collectors had not taken the Law into their own hands.
MacDon noted that Police preliminary investigation revealed that within the hours when people have left for Church, the two scrap metal dealers entered Anietie’s House and stole certain items.
“Unfortunately for them, the man just came back and met them in the act. So when he accosted them, a fight ensued. Unfortunately, the man went into a coma, which he never recovered from. He passed on while being rushed to the hospital.
“So angry youths also attacked the two people responsible for his death, and lynched them. They were burnt. But the police moved in immediately to restore normalcy, evacuated the remains, and also contacted the community leaders of both sides, the youths and urged them to maintain peace.
“In fact the Hausa community leader said he has given warning severally to those boys, the scrap metal dealers to desist from going out on Sundays except they want to steal.
“And the Commissioner of Police has ordered that a very thorough investigation be conducted while he still maintained the stance that Jungle justice has no place in our Laws”, MacDon explained.
The PPRO reiterated that the proper thing people should always do is to hand over whoever was caught in the act of committing a crime to the police for discreet Investigation and prosecution, in order to maintain Law and order in the society.
He therefore warned that jungle justice would not be tolerated in the state in this 2022, adding “However, the CP condoles with families of both parties, while investigation is ongoing.”
