Jungle Justice: Aba residents set robbery suspects ablaze

There is a popular saying; “Every day for the thief, one day for the owner”. This was exactly what played out at the popular Star Paper Mill Bus Stop along the ever busy Aba-Owerri Road on Wednesday when luck ran out on two yet-to-be identified suspected armed robbers who were set ablaze by angry mob after robbery attempt.

Infonet9ja.com recalled that between 1994-1998, resident of Aba had resorted to jungle justice, though unlawful, as a way of serving quick justice on anyone caught stealing, kidnapping or committing other heinous crimes.

It was gathered that the robbers trailed their victim from a nearby commercial bank after he had made some withdrawal from the bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

The robbers, according to sources in the area moved in to snatch to snatch the money from victim, but when the victim refused to let go the bag, they shot the victim on the leg before eventually leaving with the money.

It was learnt that the incident attracted people around including tricycle operators who went after the robbers on a motorcycle.

The robbers, infonet9ja.com learnt were eventually rounded up before they were beaten and set ablaze at Star Paper Mill junction.

Some respondents who spoke to our reporter stated that the people resorted to jungle justice because they no longer trust the police and the justice system to dispense adequate punishment on the armed robbers.

The incident which attracted huge crowd caused traffic gridlock on the Aba-Owerri road, causing traffic to move on snail pace.

An eyewitness who spoke to our reporter alleged that the suspects were recognized to be the same group of robbers that killed a tricycle driver and made away with his tricycle a week ago at Immaculate Avenue off Aba-Owerri road.

The eyewitness, who gave his name as Solomon, however said that the heroic Keke men that chased the robbers from the bank coupled with the holdup at Aba-Owerri Road contributed immensely to the capturing of the suspected robbers.

According to him, “I’m glad it happened. This is the spirit of Aba that has disappeared for years. These boys were recognized by the people working around here.

“This is not the first time they’re doing this. These were the same group of armed robbers that killed a Keke rider some weeks ago at Immaculate Avenue. That big one there confessed when people were beating him close to death.

“What happened today was that someone went to UBA to take money, these people burning here, trailed their and snatched the money from the man and took off in this their burning motorcycle.

“keke riders may be by the grace of God started chasing them as the man was shouting for help.

“On getting to Star Paper Mile Junction here in Umungasi they were caught up in the holdup and the Keke man took one way from a wrong lane on the road, blocked them and shouted before another Keke knocked them down from behind.

“People gathered and beat them for close to 30 minutes, but nothing was working until they discovered that they had charms on them. Their charms were pulled out and one was beaten to death while the other refused to die.

“He later pleaded with the crowd to pull out the charm in his finger which was a ring. It was pulled out before he died. He even refused to burn as you can see with your eyes.”

Another eyewitness said the suspected robbers relied more on their charms which failed them and called on the security agents to take the situation in Aba serious before people will take laws into their hands as it used to be prior to the New Millennium.

His words: “To those in advanced world, this is jungle justice, but to people in Aba, it’s a perfect justice. On daily basis armed robbers rob people and go free. Today, people had opportunity of pouring out their anger on these ones and you can see the result here.

“I plead with security agents to be up and doing this festive period because people will try to make money quick at the detriment of their fellow citizens.

“I don’t like this, but it seems to be the only option for people here who watch both robbers and Aro Cult Boys make life terrible for them on daily basis. This was what we were seeing in Aba before the year 2000 when Bakassi Boys started theirs.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached for comments at the time of filing the report.