Police rescues 2 thieves in Akwa Ibom

In a daring intervention, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command successfully rescued two suspected thieves from the clutches of an angry mob on Tuesday.

The rescue operation was initiated in response to incidents of jungle justice, where irate locals sought to take the law into their own hands.

According to a press statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, the police patrol team prevented two individuals from facing a violent fate for their alleged crimes.

The first incident involved Ubong Sunny Ossom, a resident of Ikot Edebe village in Nsit Atai Local Government Area. Ossom was accused of stealing two bottles of Campari from Godslight Supermarket in Ekpene Ukim, situated in Uruan Local Government Area.

The theft allegations triggered a furious response from the local community, and Ossom found himself in grave danger, as the mob threatened to subject him to lynching.

Similarly, the police also intervened in the case of Christian Effiong, hailing from Nung Atai Okobo village in Okobo Local Government Area. Effiong was apprehended for stealing a generator from Mount Zion Church in Ikot Ambon, located in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. The enraged residents were ready to take justice into their own hands, resorting to violent measures.

The timely arrival of the police patrol team averted potentially catastrophic consequences for the two suspects.

The officers courageously stepped in, ensuring that Ossom and Effiong were safely rescued from the angry mob’s clutches. The suspects were subsequently taken into custody by the police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

SP Odiko Macdon, the Police Public Relations Officer, reiterated the command’s strong stance against criminal activities like stealing, which are viewed as serious offenses under the law.

However, he expressed serious concern over the growing trend of jungle justice in the state. In a stern message, Macdon emphasized that resorting to mob violence to deliver justice is not only unlawful but also goes against the principles of a fair legal system.

Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, was quick to respond to the alarming incidents of jungle justice. He issued a warning to potential perpetrators, urging them to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

Durosinmi made it clear that any individual found engaging in such acts would be subject to arrest and prosecution, as the rule of law must prevail, and justice should be dispensed through proper legal channels.

The incidents have ignited discussions within the community about the need for a collective effort to address crime and ensure justice is served through lawful means.

The police command’s swift response to rescue the suspects has underscored the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring that every citizen is afforded a fair trial in accordance with the law.