2 Okada Snatchers Nabbed, Beaten To Death And Set Ablaze In Abuja (Graphic Photo)

Jungle justice was meted out to two suspected motorcycle snatchers by a mob at Mararaba near Abuja recently.

City News learnt that one of the suspected thieves was set ablaze around Sharp Corner, near the Abuja – Keffi expressway, while the other was beaten to death with dangerous objects in Kabayi area.

The two men believed to be in their 30s, were said to be members of a notorious gang that specialised in snatching commercial motorcycles popularly called okada.

Witnesses said scenes of the incidents were deserted for fear of police arrest.

The witness said thieves operating in groups, have since been terrorising okada riders and causing panic in the neighbourhood.

A witness, who simply identified himself as Mr. Dan, told City News: “I can’t tell you how many okada riders have since fallen victim. These thieves have snatched many okada and they are ever ready to snatch more.”

The witness alleged that the suspects killed some of the riders in the process, “Many of the bikes were bought on hire purchase for as much as N180,000. How do you think the riders or owners can pay this money when the okadas are snatched from them?”

He said luck ran out on the suspects when they tried to escape with a snatched motorcycle. They were tracked by mobs at different locations, he said.

Another witness, Mama Paul, said she didn’t support jungle justice, but the criminal activities of the suspects have become incessant and disturbing to push the mob to that extent.

An okada rider, who pleaded anonymity, said people were tired of seeing the suspects back in the streets few days after their arrest by security operatives. He said that must have led to the mob action instead of reporting to law enforcement agencies.

Reacting to the development, a police source who would not want to be named, said that the police were working within the ambits of the law, and did not release suspects anyhow, but charged them to court after gathering substantial evidence.

At the ‘A’ Division Police Station Mararaba, an officer who does not want his name in print, confirmed the incident and said no arrest was made as both scenes were deserted and nobody came for the dead suspects, adding that the bodies were evacuated and deposited in the mortuary.