Reports revealed that at least three suspected thieves whlo were accused of stealing motorcycles on Friday were burnt to death in Ile-Ife, Osun state and Odo Ona area of Ibadan, Oyo state.
According to eyewitnesses, two suspects were apprehended after they had successfully stolen a motorcycle at Lagere, Ile-Ife.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a resident disclosed that the incident happened around 3pm.
The resident further stated that the two men were chased and apprehended by a group of okada (motorcycle) riders. They were burnt alive in Lagere.
Reacting to the tragic development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident.
The PPRO stated that the two suspected robbers were nabbed in Lagere area by a group of commercial motorcyclists. They were set ablaze before our patrol team arrived at the scene.”
In a similar vein, a yet-to-be identified man was reportedly burnt to death on Friday at the 110 Roundabout area, Odo Ona, Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the suspected thief and one other suspect were chased to the area by some enraged youths.
The other suspect, however, escaped from the scene of the incident.
The stolen motorcycle was said to have been retrieved from the suspect before he was set ablaze.
He was reported to have been beaten with clubs, stones and other dangerous objects before being set on fire.
An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “We have been at the mercy of thieves in this area for quite some time now though I am not really comfortable with the jungle justice that was carried out.”
There was traffic congestion for some time along the 110-Akinyemi-Odo-Ona-Apata Road as a crowd of people scrambled to witness the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, while confirming the incident, condemned the jungle justice meted out to the suspect.
Fadeyi said, “Information obtained from the Divisional Police Officer, Oluyole, revealed that two hoodlums robbed an okada (motorcycle) rider of his TVS motorcycle and took to their heels. Luck ran out on them and they were caught by other riders who were on their trail at 110 roundabout area.
“They descended on them before the arrival of the police and unleashed mayhem on them. One ran away, while the other person was set ablaze. This act of jungle justice has been condemned in its totality among okada riders.
“They were supposed to hand the suspect(s) over to the police for investigation and prosecution to allow dignity in our society.”