In a tragic incident reflecting the dangers of mob justice, police operatives from the Atani Divisional Police Headquarters recovered a burnt body from a waste dump in Iyiowa Odekpe on 7th May 2025 at approximately 12:30 PM. The victim is believed to have been a casualty of vigilante violence following allegations of theft.
The spokesperson of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that “preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased was part of a gang notorious for stealing car batteries. Eyewitnesses report that he was caught by an angry mob following a theft in the area and subsequently set ablaze in the early hours of the day, while other members of the gang managed to flee.
Ikenga added that Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD condemned the mob’s actions, stating, “The resort to jungle justice undermines the rule of law and puts innocent lives at risk. It is imperative that citizens allow the police to conduct thorough investigations rather than taking the law into their own hands.”
CP Orutugu urged the public to exercise restraint and to report suspected criminals to the nearest police station. “We encourage residents to assist us in tackling crime by handing over suspects to law enforcement. This enables us to carry out proper investigations and ensures that all individuals are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he added.
The incident highlights the urgent need for community education on the importance of engaging with law enforcement, especially in cases of suspected criminal activity.
Please Sir, is cought in the act a criminal( a thief)or a suspect. Pls 🙏 the police 🚨 🚓 should also helping in sensitizing the public how bad n dengerious n wat it can bring to the person while cought in the act in the jungle even before the arrival of the police 🚨 🚓 . pls 🙏 my brethren,Since the person has been cought n recover the stolen goods, y the killing again 😭? Thanks n God bless.