On Wednesday, May 3, the residents of the Ogbunike community in Anambra State’s Oyi Local Government Area burned alive a suspected kidnapper while rescuing a female victim detained by the kidnappers.
According to a statement issued by the Anambra state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspected kidnappers were operating in Ogidi, a neighbouring community in Idemili North Local Government Area, and were on their way to their hideout with a lady they had allegedly kidnapped, when the indigenes stopped them and arrested them.
Ikenga stated that police officers in the neighbourhood were alerted when the incident occurred, but that by the time they arrived, one of the two arrested suspects had already been set ablaze.
The statement read: “In the early hours of today 3/5/2023, police operatives attached to Ogbunike division responding to a distress call along St Monica College road, Ogbunike, arrested one Mr Jamui Emiron ‘m’ aged 22years and recovered one already damaged yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with Anambra reg nos: UKP 729 A.
“The suspect was 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 mob, and the criminals’ operational vehicle damaged. The operatives rescued the victim, and arrested the second suspect and also impounded the vehicle.”
According to a police spokesperson, the rescued kidnap victim is already being treated at the hospital, and the apprehended suspect is cooperating with authorities in their investigation.
Ikenga also cited the state police commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng, as advising people not to take the law into their own hands by resorting to jungle justice. He stated that all suspects should be turned over to the police for proper inquiry.
