Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Eneh Okon has frowned at the manner at residents of the state, Aba in particular engage in jungle justice.
Okon is speaking on the heels of reported cases of indiscriminate killing of suspected hoodlums by mob in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.
Our reporter gathered that a yet-to-be identified young man suspected of armed robbery was gruesomely killed in Aba on Monday, which has attracted wide condemnation among the civil rights groups.
The incident which took place at Umule Road by Eberechi Street, Aba saw angry resident chain the suspected robbers before setting him ablaze after a marathon beating.
This, members of civil society said is one out of many other of such events that has taken place within Aba since the year.
It was gathered that the gruesome killing at Umule Road residents said was ochastrated by incessant robbery incidents in the area which they claimed the police have failed to tackle.
When our reporter tried to ascertain what the victim was accused of stealing, nobody around could give any tangible thing as he was alleged to be a thief whose colleagues abandoned in a hot chase by the residents.
His charred body was left at the entrance of Eberechi Street where some residents later moved it to the middle of Umule Road causing serious panic and gridlock on the busy road as at when filling this report.
Reacting, Abia CP said Jungle justice said it is unacceptable and an act that must end in the state.
Okon added that what happened is not encouraging and does not have his support.
“They’re free to arrest and handover to the police. The police is not in support lynching anybody because of stealing. They should follow due process. They’re doing it with altruism, but not with due process,” he said.
He debunked the claims that people are taking laws into their hands because police failed to provide adequate security.
