Suspected motorbike thief burnt to death in Ilorin

A suspected motorcycle thief has been burnt to death in the Maraba area of Ilorin, Kwara State, by an angry mob.

The incident happened around the Akerebiata area on Friday night when the deceased’s accomplice reportedly shot the owner in the leg and forcibly took the Okada from him.

But the suspects’ attempt to escape with the motorbike was thwarted by some youths who gave them a chase.

The suspects were said to have crashed the motorbike around Maraba with one of them falling off the bike.

The angry mob, after beating the suspect black and blue, set him ablaze using a used tyre with petrol and left to burn in the middle of the road.

The residents watched as the suspect was roasted alive on the road.

A resident of the area who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We learnt they snatched an okada around Akerebiata after shooting the owner.

“But in the attempt to escape, some of the youths around summoned courage, mobilised and gave them a hot chase which led to the apprehension of one of them who fell off the motorcycle after hitting a vehicle around Maraba Junction.

“They intercepted and overpowered him, collected his gun, and burnt him to death after he had been seriously beaten with blood all over his body.

“The incident happened around 8pm on Friday and the body was still on the spot where he was lynched around 9:30am this morning.”

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer,  Ajayi Okasanmi (SP), confirmed the incident, adding that investigation on the matter was ongoing.