Suspected phone thief set ablaze in Abuja

Angry mob set suspected phone thief ablaze in the Gudu area of Abuja.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 10pm on Sunday when the suspect was lynched after occupants of a vehicle he was alleged to have stolen a mobile telephone from raised the alarm.

The suspected phone snatcher, who was said to have taken to his heels was caught by the mob, who poured petrol on his body and set him ablaze.

A resident, who gave his name simply as Dawodu, told PUNCH that; “Yesterday (Sunday) around 10pm, I saw people gather here. A young man was beaten to the extent that he could not move any part of his body.

“He was later burnt alive. I learnt that he stole a phone from a vehicle in traffic. I learnt he took it (phone) through the glass of the car, which was wound down. Unluckily for him, the car was filled with young guys, who chased him and caught up with him.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, Mariam Yusuf, who confirmed the incident appealed to residents to stop taking the law into their own hands, said the police were investigating the matter.