The Edo State Police Command has charged three suspects to court over jungle justice meted out to two innocent welders mistaken for some fleeing armed robbers in Benin City, the state capital.
The tragic incident was said have occurred in Amagba community in Oredo Local Government Area of the state. The deceased artisans, identified as Osamudiamen Ehigie and Nosa Aghimie, were said to be returning from a project site in Amagba around 6. 00 pm when they ran into a chaotic situation whereby some gunmen had just carried out a robbery operation.
An eyewitness said the gunmen, to divert attention, gave the duo a hot chase. In the ensuing confusion, Osamudiamen and Nosa ran into a house in the vicinity and hid themselves.
It was further gathered that residents in the neighborhood who mistook the duo for the robbers, smoked them out and beat them to death.
Preliminary investigation by the police however exonerated them. The owner of the site they went to work was also said to have affirmed their innocence.
Three suspects however said to be directly linked to the jungle justice were arrested by the police. They are Frank Abolo, 37, Samson Odewole, 22, and Happy Ohiowere, 25. The State Police spokesman, Moses Yamu, superintendent of police, (SP) who confirmed the incident, said the three suspects have been charged to court for murder.
According to Yamu: “The Command is aware of the incident where two young boys unfortunately met their unfortunate situation. “The Command has commenced investigation in that regard and immediately arrested three suspects, while two other suspects are at large. “Those arrested have since been charged to court for prosecution”.
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