Robbers set ablaze after snatching money from bank customers

Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Aba

Two suspected armed robbers were yesterday set on fire by an angry mob at the Aba area of Abia State after snatching a bag containing money from a bank customer.

The suspects were said to have trailed their victim from a nearby bank and later snatched a bag containing money from him. In their attempt to escape, the suspects ran towards Aba-Owerri Road, where they met their Waterloo. The robbers were beaten to death and then set on fire.

An eyewitness, Solomom, said: “ People recognized the armed robbers to be the same group of robbers that killed a tricycle rider a week ago at Immaculate Avenue and made away with his tricycle. The tricycle riders that chased the robbers from the bank coupled with the holdup at Aba-Owerri Road contributed immensely to their capturing.”

Solomon added: “ I witnessed when these fools (suspects) were burnt alive. 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 are robbing people. These were the same group of armed robbers that killed a tricycle rider some weeks ago at Immaculate Avenue. That big one there confessed when people were beating. He was almost close to death.

"What happened today was that someone went to UBA to cash money. These men burning here, trailed him and snatched the money from him. They mounted their motorcycle and zoomed off. Tricycle riders pursued them as the owner of the money was screaming for help. On getting to Star Paper Mile Junction, the robbers were caught. They were beaten for more than 30 minutes. It was like they were not feeling the beating and then people discovered that the robbers wore charms. The charms were pulled out. One was beaten to death while the other didn’t 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 suspects relied more on their charms, which failed them. He added: “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.”

All efforts made to get police reaction to the incident proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached.