Suspected thief stabbed in the eyes

A suspected thief, who attempted to burgle a boutique in the night, got more than he bargained for when someone saw and raised the alarm.

But for the quick intervention of policemen from Ikeja Police Station, the suspect would have been lynched alive.

Eye witnesses’ accounts claimed that angry mob stabbed him with broken bottle in one of his eyes and also inflicted bottle cut injuries on his buttocks.

A police source attached to the Ikeja Police Station, said the suspect’s condition, compelled the police to rush him to General Hospital, Ikeja.

The burglars was said to have broken into a boutique along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Anifowoshe, Ikeja, opposite the Local government council, attempting to away clothes and other valuables before he was caught in the act.

A resident in the area, who simply identified himself as Mr. Taiwo, said: “The burglar gained entry into the shop by boring a hole in the wall of the shop. He had removed almost half of the items in the shop before he was caught. He was removing the items gradually until someone noticed him, squeezing through the hole.”

The man, who saw him, also noticed he was carrying a bag. Immediately he raised the alarm, people ran out from their homes and pounced on the suspect.

Taiwo said: “One person smashed bottle on the burglar's head and stabbed him in the eye, while another stabbed him in the buttocks.”

The owner of the boutique came out and started begging that his life should be spared.

He added that the mob insisted they would kill the suspect instead of taking him to the police station.

Another resident, Chibuike said it took some mobile policemen to disperse the crowd.