Robber set ablaze for stealing plasma TV

A mob on Saturday set ablaze a suspected robber at Funmilayo junction, Agege, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing a plasma television.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the suspect, identified as One Mopol, was leaving Sura Odumakin Street, where he had allegedly stolen the TV set when he was caught around 6am by a resident.

The resident was said to have raised the alarm, drawing the angry crowd to the scene. He was almost lynched when policemen from the Elere division arrived to rescue him.

As the operatives were taking him away, he reportedly vowed to go after his assailants when he left the police custody.

His statement was said to have drawn the ire of the mob that snatched him from the police.

Our correspondent learnt that the mob stabbed him several times, tied him with a rope and dragged him to the junction where he was set ablaze.

An eyewitness, Diran Oderinde, said the police later came in a van and took away his corpse, adding that the deceased was notorious for robbery in the community.

Oderinde said, “I was woken up around 6.30am by the commotion caused by his arrest. One Mopol was a known robber in this community and he robbed with confidence. He stole the plasma television at Sura Odumakin in the Papa area but was caught by a resident when he was about to escape.”

Another resident, who identified himself only as Taofiq, said One Mopol derived his name from his mode of operation. He said he raped a woman last week after dispossessing her of N30, 000.

“He robbed alone with a cutlass. Last Saturday night, he robbed a woman selling food on Abiba Street and raped her. When One Mopol was caught this morning (Saturday), the woman came to the scene and discovered that he was the one who actually attacked her.”

A mechanic, Tolu Ibrahim, said One Mopol’s death was a relief to residents, adding that hardly a week went by that he would not rob someone in the community.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said his corpse had been deposited in a morgue for autopsy and urged the public to shun jungle justice.

She said, “A robber who allegedly stole a plasma TV was burnt to death at Funmilayo area, Agege. Police got the information and moved to the scene but unfortunately the man had died. Investigation is on to unravel what actually transpired. The command will not tolerate jungle justice in any case, members of the public should endeavour to report such and normal procedure will be followed to get justice done.”