Lagos: Mob sets Church Thief Ablaze

A mob has set a member of a three-man robbery gang ablaze for stealing valuables belonging to a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Somolu, Lagos State.

Information gathered from Herald news reveals that the gang, while carting away the items, were challenged by members of the community. Two suspects escaped while the mob caught up with the third, and set him on fire.

An eye witness, Ibrahim Olasunkanmi said, “I just got back from the mosque and was about to go to bed around 5.30am when I heard a noise from a distance. Out of curiosity, I went to the scene and saw someone being set ablaze.

“I later learnt that he was a member of a three-man gang which had gone to steal some musical instruments from an RCCG church on Olorunkemi Street, and while they were carting away the items, some guys ran after them. Two of them ran away, while the third suspect withstood the mob because he probably had a charm on him.

“At first, people were afraid to get close to him. When they eventually caught him, they descended on him. Before the police and the Lagos State Ambulance Service arrived, he had been set ablaze.” Olasunkanmi accounted.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana said, “We got a distress call that a mob action was going on and we quickly rushed to the place. The suspect was rescued; he is still alive. He is not talking yet for us to get any information from him. The stolen items have been recovered by the police.

“We have started investigating the case and a manhunt has been launched for the fleeing members of the gang. The suspect will be charged to court to face the law as soon as he recovers.” Elkana said

Elkana admonished that there are laid down procedures on how suspects should be treated, which is seen in the provision of the law, adding that the court had the ultimate say and as such, people should stop taking laws into their hands but should report such cases to the police for investigation and justice.