Armed Robbers Burned Alive In Broad Light On Busy Nigerian Streets

Three suspected armed robbers were burned alive on Nigeria's busy streets in what is described as ‘jungle justice.’

The murdered suspects, operating on motorcycles, were allegedly among criminals terrorizing Point of Sale (POS) operators, traders, and residents at Abayi, along Aba-Owerri Road, Afor-Ule, Umuimo, and Kamalu streets in the Osisioma axis of Aba.

They were burned alive at different locations in the Aba Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday, July 3, according to reports.

One of the suspects was set ablaze opposite the UBA building, while others were murdered at Union Bank junction and Star Paper Mill by Kamalu Street, all along Aba/Owerri Road.

According to an eyewitness, the men were caught while attempting to escape after robbing a PoS operator and some shops in the area.

"After robbing the PoS operator and some shops, the robbers fled when people raised alarm. Some youths gave them a hot pursuit but they were knocked off their motorcycle by a moving vehicle. The youths caught up with them and set them ablaze; one at the opposite a Bank, and others are burned at a Bank junction and Paper Mill. These boys have been robbing PoS operators and shops. Today, nemesis has caught up with them," the eyewitnesses told Vanguard.

Confirming the incident via a statement on Monday, July 4, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the situation has caused gridlock along Osisioma.

"The jungle justice is preventing police authority to further probe the activities of robbery kingpin in the area, which has been terrorizing the residents; we don’t know their names, even the suspect that escaped," the PPRO stated.

Ogbonna also warned residents of the state against taking laws into their hands adding that the Abia State Police Command will not tolerate such incidents in whatever guise.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Tuga, a resident, who shared a photo of one of the deceased suspects, said that five of them were set ablaze.

"Security Watch. Faulks Road Aba. If you are stealing, breaking people's shops, or Attacking POS with guns. Aba dey vex badly now," he wrote.

"Body count is 5....not that we support jungle justice but the fact is that these guys are getting viciously mean and the people are responding in kind. We have one broken broken shop, the robbers came with RAV 4 grey SUV and stole more than 6 televisions and absconded when an alarm was raised. An eye for an eye. Too bad. We no dey sleep."