By Balogun Mabamije
UGHELLI/Nigeria: There was great confusion at Ofuoma Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as three suspected armed robbers were burnt to death by angry mob
This happened a few days after a similar incident was reported at Afiesere Community, where two suspected armed robbers were also burnt to death in the locality.
It was alleged that one of the suspects was an indigene of the community, who always did the underground work before others came in for the operation, and whose mother, it was alleged usually prepare charms for the robbers to protect them from gun shots and cutlass attacks.
Narrating further, an anonymous eyewitness disclosed that one of the three robbers was apprehended by the community security operatives while he was attempting to break into a house where musical instruments were kept.
He said upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been responsible for breaking into churches and houses in the area, stealing musical equipment.
After fingering two others, youths in the community mobilised and apprehended the two who also confessed to being members of the gang that specialised in breaking into churches and houses to steal musical instruments in the area.
It was reported that the angry youths pounced on them, beating them to comatose before setting them ablaze, just as the report added that attempt by policemen from the Ofuoma Police Station to rescue the robbers was fruitless as it was alleged that the police were overpowered by the angry mob.
The report disclosed further that the community had been faced with series of attacks from criminal elements in recent times, which prompted youths to set up internal security system to secure the community.
Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said he was aware of what happened at the community.
He corrected the wrong impression that the youths of the community overpowered the policemen, saying that the robbers were already burnt before the policemen got to the scene of the incident.
