A suspected thief is in critical condition after being brutally attacked by a mob who poured hot oil on his back for allegedly stealing groundnut oil in a market located near the Alakara Police Station, Mushin, Lagos.
The shocking incident, which occurred on Friday, was brought to light after the victim was discovered lying unconscious in a gutter two days later, showing signs of severe burns and neglect.
According to eyewitness accounts obtained by Punch Metro, the unidentified man reportedly posed as a customer in the busy market before discreetly lifting a bottle of groundnut oil from a vendor’s stall. Another trader spotted him during the act and raised an alarm, prompting other market vendors to intervene.
“He pretended to be a customer and while the shop owner was attending to others, he stole the oil. He didn’t know someone saw him. He was caught, beaten, stripped, and then they heated some of the groundnut oil and poured it on him while he was lying on the ground,” a resident disclosed.
The mob left the man severely injured, and his condition deteriorated after being abandoned close to the police station without medical attention. Concerned resident Omoluabi Ifeoluwa, who received a distress alert via a community WhatsApp group, intervened and contacted the Mushin Local Government health officials and Lagos State Emergency Services.
“Upon arrival, we found a man in a critical and unhygienic condition. He was transferred to Gbagada General Hospital, but due to a lack of medical support and guidance, further care couldn’t be provided,” Ifeoluwa explained.
Meanwhile, Divisional Police Officer Enyinna Nwankudu confirmed that officers responded and ensured the man was removed from the drainage. “He was thought to be dead at first but was alive. He has since been taken care of,” Nwankudu said.
This incident has renewed concerns about rising cases of mob justice in Nigeria and the lack of prompt institutional response in such cases. Human rights advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of anti-mob laws and better protection for all citizens, including suspects.
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