Two Hausa scrap metal collectors were on Sunday, January 2, burnt to death by angry youths of Afaha Oku, Ikpa community, in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The action by the mob was preceded by the killing of a youth identified as Anietie by the scrap collectors.
The incident reportedly happened around 9 am when many of the residents in the area had gone to church.
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Anietie was reportedly beaten to coma by the Hausa boys, but died on the way to the hospital.
Mr. Wisdom, a resident of the area narrated the cause of the action by the youths.
“What happened is that that youth the two Hausa scrap metal collectors killed is an indigene of this Afaha Oku village.
“According to an eyewitness, Anietie went to collect his clothes from the Laundry that Sunday morning, while returning to his compound, he sighted the two Hausa scrap metal collectors, with some items they removed. There is also a weilding shop in front of the compound.
“I learnt that he accosted them and asked them what they were doing in his compound; that who gave them permission to remove things from the compound, so they two Hausa boys beat him and he collapsed. When Anietie’s brother who was inside the house saw what happened he raised the alarm.
” People now came out and caught the two scrap metal collectors. I learnt that the boy died on the way while he was being rushed to the hospital. So it was the news of his death that now got the youths angry, they now descended on those two Hausa boys, threw them inside the gutter and burnt them to death.
“That was how those three people died in this area on Sunday. Security Agencies, the Army and Police arrived the secene of the incident immediately, because around 10am that I saw both the police and Army loaded in their trucks and patrolling the whole area,” he added.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko MacDon, while confirming the incident, warned citizens to avoid taking law into their hands.
MacDon said investigations have revealed that the Hausa scrap collector entered Anietie’s House and stole certain items.
“Unfortunately for them, the man just came back and met them in the act. So when he accosted them, a fight ensued. Unfortunately, the man went into a coma, which he never recovered from. He passed on while being rushed to the hospital.
“So angry youths also attacked the two people responsible for his death, and lynched them. They were burnt. But the police moved in immediately to restore normalcy, evacuated the remains, and also contacted the community leaders of both sides, the youths and urged them to maintain peace.
“In fact the Hausa community leader said he has given warning severally to those boys, the scrap metal dealers to desist from going out on Sundays except they want to steal.
“And the Commissioner of Police has ordered that a very thorough investigation be conducted while he still maintained the stance that Jungle justice has no place in our Laws”, MacDon explained.
“However, the CP condoles with families of both parties, while investigation is ongoing,” he added.
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