By Wilson Adekumola
The Cross River State Police Command has condemned the lynching of a 22-year-old man identified as Eyo by mob for allegedly stealing a phone.
It was gathered that the boy was set ablaze at the Atimbo area of Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State on Sunday.
An eyewitness informed the News Agency of Nigeria that the deceased was known for petty stealing and had been warned severally.
According to the source, the boy allegedly stole a phone on Saturday, left the community and reappeared on Sunday.
“I know Eyo from secondary school, he has always been stealing. There was a time he stole half of the class school fees.
“This is not the first time a mob action was carried out on him, he only met his end today,” he said.
It was learnt that the angry mob beat the alleged thief with cutlass before setting him on fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo condemned the lynching, saying it was unlawful for people to take laws into their hands.
The spokesperson while arguing that the matter should have been reported, he noted that jungle justice is “unacceptable, barbaric and illegal”.
