Mob set Community Chairman’s house ablaze over the death of a thief
Property worth millions of naira were destroyed, Sunday, when the home of Emmanuel Matemi, Mereje community Chairman, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, was set ablaze following the death of a suspected thief, who was beaten to pulp for allegedly stealing a bag belonging to a lady in the community.
It was gathered that trouble started, Sunday afternoon, when the suspect, simply identified as Clever, was apprehended and taken to the residence of the community chairman for allegedly stealing the said bag, during a football match in the community.
It was learned that the suspect later died from injuries sustained from the beating resulting in pandemonium, which led to the destruction of property and setting of fire to the house of the community chairman by a mob.
Eyewitness account
According to an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “he (suspect) was caught and taken to the community chairman, where he was flogged and made to confess to the crime after which he was made to pay the prescribed fine for stealing.
“Unfortunately, the boy (Clever) later died in the evening. Angered by his death, some of his sympathisers mobilised, went to the residence of the community chairman and set it on fire.”
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, said: “Yes, there was a problem in the community on Sunday. The Youth Leader of the community has been arrested in connection with the death that occurred and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.”
It was gathered that trouble started, Sunday afternoon, when the suspect, simply identified as Clever, was apprehended and taken to the residence of the community chairman for allegedly stealing the said bag, during a football match in the community.
It was learned that the suspect later died from injuries sustained from the beating resulting in pandemonium, which led to the destruction of property and setting of fire to the house of the community chairman by a mob.
Eyewitness account
According to an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “he (suspect) was caught and taken to the community chairman, where he was flogged and made to confess to the crime after which he was made to pay the prescribed fine for stealing.
“Unfortunately, the boy (Clever) later died in the evening. Angered by his death, some of his sympathisers mobilised, went to the residence of the community chairman and set it on fire.”
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, said: “Yes, there was a problem in the community on Sunday. The Youth Leader of the community has been arrested in connection with the death that occurred and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.”
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