In a shocking incident in Edo State, two individuals, including a minor, narrowly escaped being lynched after they were accused of stealing a man’s manhood.
The attempted lynching occurred on Sunday, December 15, when a mob gathered in the city to take justice into their own hands.
According to a statement from the Edo State Police Command, the two victims were nearly killed after being falsely accused of committing the bizarre crime.
The police were alerted to the scene and quickly intervened, rescuing the individuals from the angry mob.
Moses Yamu, the Police Public Relations Officer for Edo State, shared details of the incident through the police’s official social media account.
“The person alleged to have stolen the manhood and the little boy were rescued to the station amidst the mob trying to lynch them,” Yamu wrote.
The situation began when a man, referred to in the police statement as the “victim,” reportedly noticed something unusual about his body. The man went to test his manhood and found that it was “working.”
However, rumors spread that his manhood had been stolen, leading to the mob’s violent response.
In the statement, the police clarified that the two men, one of whom was a minor, were not responsible for the crime and had been wrongly accused.
“Sources said the ‘victim’ was said to have gone to test his manhood and found that it is ‘working,’” the police said, suggesting that the man’s fears were based on a misunderstanding.
Despite the lack of evidence or any real crime, the mob’s anger escalated quickly, and the two individuals were nearly killed by the crowd.
Fortunately, the Edo State Police were able to step in before the situation became more deadly.
The police’s quick response prevented what could have been a tragic outcome. The victims were safely transported to the police station where they were given protection.
In a further statement, the Edo State Police said they are now working to trace the alleged “victim” in order to fully investigate the origins of the bizarre accusation.
“The suspects have been released to their relations for treatment,” the police statement continued, referring to the individuals who had been rescued from the mob’s wrath.
While the police have made clear that the accusations were unfounded, the incident has drawn attention to the dangerous practice of jungle justice, where mobs take the law into their own hands without waiting for authorities to investigate.
Edo State Police urged the public to avoid resorting to such violent actions, especially in cases where there is no proof to back up the claims.
“Let’s say no to jungle justice over unfounded stories, please,” the police spokesperson urged in the statement.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across the state, with many citizens condemning the attempt at mob justice.
Some have pointed out the dangerous consequences of baseless accusations, especially in rural areas where rumors can spread quickly and cause panic.
“This is a serious issue,” said a local resident. “People should not take the law into their own hands. The police should be allowed to do their work.”
The shocking event is a reminder of the dangers of mob justice in Nigeria, where similar incidents have been reported in the past. Mob lynchings are often triggered by accusations of theft, witchcraft, or other crimes, sometimes with little or no evidence to support the claims.
Although the police have rescued the victims and assured the public that justice will be served, the incident highlights the importance of education and awareness in tackling the issue of jungle justice.
