By Alimi Micheal, KWARA |
The Kwara State Police has reacted to the incident of a man who was assaulted and fatally beaten by an angry crowd for trying to steal a motorcycle while worshippers were attending Jumat prayer inside the Kwara State Ministry of Health on Friday.
The Kwara State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, confirmed the incident upon contact, mentioning that the report had just reached her desk.
Toun stated that the police are actively investigating the situation, and she is reluctant to share any information with the media until the investigations are complete.
“Yes, that is the information that is also available to me; I don’t want to be in haste to put anything out so that we can get more information.
“But the information available to me is that people around me gave reports that he was trying to steal a motorcycle. So they raised an alarm, and they chased him.
“They caught up with him and beat him up. So before the police force could get to the scene to curb the mob, he had already given up the ghost.”
Toun states that more information on the incident will be disseminated through the proper medium in due time, as the investigation is ongoing.
A witness, who preferred not to be named, stated that a motorcycle, believed to be owned by a Hausa man, was parked in a designated area by the ministry, along with other motorcycles and vehicles, while their owners attended Friday prayers.
After the prayers ended, the witness observed individuals running and shouting, wielding sticks and large stones.
“All motorcycles and vehicles are always parked under the tree beside the parking lot given by the ministry every Friday.
“So it happened that I was among those who observed jumat with them on Friday because I am an okada man and I do observe it at any nearest jumat mosque every Friday.
“I have been hearing the strange noise during the jumat session, but I needed to complete my prayer. I was surprised when I saw people running helter-skelter with big stones, sticks, and planks, shouting they had captured a thief trying to steal a motorcycle.
“When I got to the parking area, I discovered a man being accused of trying to steal a motorcycle and being beaten by a group of Hausa men.
“Though police came to his rescue, I am not sure if he’s going to survive it because he was molested and beaten mercilessly.”
more details later…..
