The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of an unidentified man who was allegedly beaten and burnt to death by a mob over an alleged motorcycle theft.
The incident occurred at about 7:05am at Ikpe Ikot Akpan Village, along the Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Road in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the PPRO, the incident followed an allegation that the deceased attempted to steal a motorcycle belonging to one Idoroenyin Udo.
John said preliminary investigations showed that Udo allegedly resisted the theft attempt and raised an alarm, prompting some residents to chase and apprehend the suspect.
The mob reportedly attacked the man before setting him ablaze, resulting in his death.
Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, condemned the killing and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
The PPRO quoted the commissioner as saying, “No individual or group has the right to determine the guilt of a suspect or impose punishment outside the law.”
He added that anyone suspected of committing an offence should be handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.
The command urged residents to report suspected criminal activities to the police rather than resorting to mob action.
“Jungle justice is unlawful, dangerous and unacceptable. It destroys evidence, frustrates proper investigation and can lead to the killing of innocent persons,” the statement added.
John said the investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to identify and arrest all those linked to the killing.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over mob attacks and jungle justice across the country, with several cases resulting in fatalities.
PUNCH Metro reported on Monday that a man identified simply as Basit, who had reportedly returned to Nigeria from abroad for his wedding, was beaten to death by a mob following an alleged hit-and-run incident on Lagos Island.
Basit was said to have allegedly hit a male resident in the Patey area with his car and driven away, prompting some residents to pursue him.
The ensuing confrontation reportedly escalated, with some irate residents allegedly attacking and lynching him.