Police React As Mob Sets Couple Ablaze Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft In Imo

An angry mob reportedly lynched a couple after they were accused of stealing motorcycles in Orogwe in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the mob action to the Punch on Thursday, September 5, 2024, warned the public against taking the law into their hands in expressing their grievances.

The PPRO said the course of justice would not be served if the public persisted in taking the law into their own hands.

“Allow the police to do their work. Any suspect should be handed over to the police for proper investigations. The police have deployed their team for investigations to apprehend the perpetrators," he said.

It was gathered that some angry youths burnt the yet-to-be-identified couple to death in the Orogwe-Ohii on Monday, September 2 after accusing them of stealing motorcycles.

A community source said that the couple usually operated around the community and neighbouring villages.

“The couple was caught on Monday while absconding with a stolen motorcycle after robbing a motorcyclist of his bike with a pistol," the source said.

“The couple was well known in the community but no one knew they were involved in motorcycle snatching until they were caught.”

He hinted that many people had lost their motorcycles along the road and people were already on alert waiting for the day “the criminals would be caught.”

“They were caught while trying to dispossess a man of his motorcycle along the Orogwe/Ohii Road. Because the youths and community vigilantes were already enraged by the ugly trend, they refused to hand them to the police.

“But what I don’t know is if the couple are from the community. It was terrible.”

It was gathered that many youths have deserted the area for fear of being arrested by the police during the investigation.