From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
The adage “many days are for the thief” became a harsh reality on Monday for a young man who was caught attempting to steal at a popular local market in the Obingwa Council Area of Abia State.
The suspect was apprehended by sympathizers of his victims at Nkwo Nwelechi market, also known as Ahia Nkwo, in the Ahiaba community along the Aba (Obikabia junction)/Mgboko/Umuene road. He was immediately manhandled and set on fire by his captors.
Eyewitnesses described the man as a habitual thief who frequently broke into traders’ shops, even during business hours, to steal from his victims.
One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, told our correspondent that the apprehension of the thief was a relief to the traders, despite the fact that it was done outside the law.
He added that communities in the area, in collaboration with the police division in Eastern Ngwa, had been working to track and arrest the thief and his gang before he was caught.
A senior police source in the area confirmed the incident and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, urging them to report such activities to the authorities for proper action.