An unidentified man was on Monday reportedly set ablaze by angry youths in Imo State over allegation of stealing a motor cycle.
The incident occurred in Umuchima Community, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.
According to an eyewitness who craved anonymity, the suspect was a member of a three-man gang that specialised in snatching motorcycles, popularly called Okada, from unsuspecting commercial motorcycle riders in the area.
This particular incident was said to have started at an area known as Arusi Lodge located in the community when residents who were peeved by the security challenge encountered in the area decided to organise a neighbourhood watch initiative to check every motor cycle that passes through the area, to forestall incidents of robbery that had become frequent.
Many motorcycles were reportedly checked on the fateful day, but the one purportedly carrying the suspected thieves refused to be checked, which resulted in a friction between the members of the watch and the occupants of the motorcycle.
In the process, two out of the three men escaped the forced checked that the watch members insisted on carrying out, but one was not so lucky as he was allegedly caught with a bag containing a gun, an axe and other dangerous weapons which were believed to have been used in carrying out criminal operations.
Another version said luck ran out on him when he was caught as his gang tried to snatch an Okada from a commercial rider, but the two other members of his gang, now at large, managed to escape.
He was said to have been set ablaze by members of a vigilante group who were called on phone about the seizing of a suspected robber.
Source: Imo Trumpeta
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