A mob has killed and burnt members of a seven-man kidnap gang in Anambra State.
The other six members ran away while police operatives rescued two victims.
The operational vehicles of the suspected kidnappers, a Highlander and Toyota Camry, were recovered by the security operatives.
The incident happened at Obosi in Idemili South local government area around 9 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Confirming the incident, Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the fleeing gang members were being hunted by the security operatives.
He said preliminary information showed that security operatives intercepted a seven-man kidnap gang along Awada.
He said, “In an attempt to arrest the criminals, six out of the seven gang members escaped and abandon both the victim’s vehicle and their operational vehicle.
“The seventh person, arrested was lynched by an angry mob and set ablaze before police operatives could arrive at the scene.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police Echeng Echeng, while condemning the act of mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of criminal allegations without recourse to the Police for proper investigation.
”He also urged them to always exercise restraint by not taking the law into their hands. They should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest Police Station whenever they are apprehended.
“This would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct an appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects, and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws.
“Meanwhile, Police Operatives have initiated operation aimed at arresting the fleeing gang members and suspects who took laws into their hands by setting ablaze the arrested suspect.”
