The Delta State Police Command has arrested two women and a group of vigilantes for allegedly brutalizing a 20-year-old truck pusher ablaze after cutting off his finger over false allegations of theft.
The incident happened in Sapele on Thursday evening, September 12, 2024.
The victim identified as Abubakar Yusuf was allegedly beaten after he was accused of stealing 400,000 naira, (four hundred thousand naira) from a lockup store at the Sapele Market from one Mrs Onoriode.
It was also gathered that after beating him to a stupor, the mob poured fuel on him and set him ablaze before the woman’s relative confessed that she stole and hid the missing money.
Good Samaritans managed to rescue the victim but he had suffered burns on his head, feet and hands.
“Onoriode accused Abubakar, a wheelbarrow pusher at the Sapele main market of stealing her money from her lockup store. While the argument was going on, she invited men of the vigilante to arrest him. He (Abubakar) was then taken away only to be beaten by the vigilantes black and blue and even set ablaze,” a source at the Sapele Main Market said.
Another source at the Sapele market said that Abubakar was taken away by the vigilante, only for Onoriode’s sister to admit she was the one who took the cash for safekeeping from the lockup store.
After Abubakar was released by men of the vigilante, Onoriode and some market women were said to have taken Abubakar to a local chemist store, treated and discharged.
However, members of a Human Rights team led by Comrade Kingsley Imode were said to have taken up the case and reported the issue to the police.
A source at the Police confirmed the arrest to the Vanguard on Thursday.
“As I speak to you, two women have been arrested and the vigilante team responsible for the act are behind bars too. We will investigate the matter and justice will be done accordingly,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has been taken to the Sapele Central Hospital for treatment.
