BY: News Peddlers
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| An angry mob and the deceased [Photo Credit: Linda Ikeji's Blog] |
The Ondo State government has strongly condemned the mob action that resulted in the death of Tope Olorunfemi, a 35-year-old driver in the state.
The government described Mr Olorunfemi's killing as "jungle justice" in a statement on Tuesday, vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice.
"The Ondo State Government's attention has been drawn to a disturbing public recourse to jungle justice."
"The government strongly condemns the incident and has stated that all those found to be responsible will face the full wrath of the law," Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said in a statement released by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju.
An angry mob lynched Mr Olorunfemi to death in Akure on Monday after he lost control of his car's wheel, skidded off the road, and rammed into a commercial motorcyclist and his passengers.
The mob then descended on him, accusing him of murdering the bystanders on purpose for ritual purposes. The irate youths who claimed he was a "Yahoo Boy," aka internet fraudster, also set fire to his Toyota Camry vehicle.
His parents, who rushed to the scene of the attack, were lynched to death by the mob, according to Peoples Gazette.
While expressing regret over the incident, the governor stated that it was past time for residents of the state to have faith in the rule of law, emphasising that the state would not tolerate any form of mob action or hooliganism.
He specifically stated that his government does not "condone criminality in whatever guise" and does not support citizens enforcing laws on their own.
"This is especially true when citizens are attacked and killed on the basis of one flimsy excuse or another, particularly allegations of an Internet scam laced with ritual killing known as Yahoo Plus.
"It was reported that the parents of the deceased were saved from the same fate as their son due to the quick intervention of law enforcement agents." "Unfortunately, they watched in horror and helplessness as their son was pummelling to death," said Ondo governor.
"The government is saddened by this development and commiserates with all the families who have lost loved ones as a result of this incident, while praying for a speedy recovery for those who have sustained injuries," he added.
Meanwhile, Ondo police said they had arrested two suspects in connection with the victim's death, just 24 hours after the tragic incident.
Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the police spokeswoman in Ondo, said in a short message on Tuesday that the two suspects were apprehended after a discreet investigation.
She went on to say that the suspects' "artisan" was apprehended by a team of detectives.
"Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the state's Jungle Justice case," Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya confirmed.