By: Manoah Kikekon
Pandemonium broke out in Badagry on Tuesday when a joint team of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued a suspected motorcycle thief from an angry mob attempting to administer jungle justice.
The incident occurred at Ajara, Badagry, where the suspect was apprehended with a stolen motorcycle. As irate commercial motorcycle riders (okada riders) gathered to lynch him, distress calls were placed to the JTF, who promptly intervened and rescued the suspect from the scene.
Speaking on the incident, the JTF Public Relations Officer, Senayon Kotin, recounted the tense rescue operation.
“As soon as we rushed there, the crowd claimed the suspect had allegedly killed some people previously and that they had been looking for a way to apprehend him to take his life. They insisted on executing him on the spot, but we intervened and said no.”
The situation escalated further when security operatives attempted to transfer the suspect to a police station. A violent mob intercepted the security team on the road, attacking both the officers and the suspect. The assault resulted in serious injuries sustained by the JTF personnel.
It took the swift reinforcement and intervention of the Nigeria Police Force to bring the situation under control and disperse the rioting crowd.
As of the time of filing this report, the suspect is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital under heavy security.