“Tough Time” For Mad People In Lagos Over Suspicion Of Being Ritualists

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It appears a challenging time for some mentally deranged people who roam the streets of Lagos as recent clampdown and mob attacks on suspected ritualists seems to be catching up against them in Lagos.

This had to do with the perception that some of them only disguised as mad people to commit various crimes.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the ugly situation followed the arrest and attempted mob action on a mentally deranged man by the residents of Ikeja suspected to be a member of kidnapping and ritualists gang.

On 8 August, 2017 at Ajala Bus Stop in Ijaye-Ojokoro area of Lagos, two persons, suspected to be kidnappers were burnt to death, while some buildings were vandalized under the suspicion that the occupants might be aiding the heinous crimes of the kidnappers.

Again, two days later, 10 August at Ile- Zik Bus Stop, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, some destitute escaped death by the whiskers as the timely arrival of a police team saved their lives.

However, another set of destitute who were believed to be mentally-ill were not lucky on 11 August as they were mobbed and set ablaze on the allegation that they have on them some expensive phones.

The next day, a young man was nearly mobbed at Isheri Olofin at Oraphetal bus stop along Igando-Iyana Iba expressway after a resident raised alarm that he had a phone, gun and cash of about N400,000 on him.

However, before he could be lynched by the mob, the Divisional Police Officer of Idimu Police Division, SP Fayomi Solomon moved his men, rescued the man and took him to the station.

During investigation, it was discovered that it was a false alarm as none of the items mentioned was with him.

Meanwhile, this new trend have prompted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni to raise the alarm and warned against jungle justice being committed by the residents in the state.

Owoseni condemned the act which he described as barbaric and uncivilized that had no justification.

He said in the course of the disdainful acts, vital evidences were destroyed which hampered investigation by the police.

He said the act was against the constitution and amounted to abuse of human dignity and called for restraint.

He posited that if there was any suspicion, it was the duty of the citizen to report such matter to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

He warned that those who attempts such henceforth will be dealt with according to the law.