Police Pursue Mob After Suspected Thief Burned Alive

On September 9, 2026, at approximately 7:05 a.m., a mob in Ikpe Ikot Akpan Village along the Ikot Ekpene–Uyo Road in Akwa Ibom State beat and burned an unidentified man to death, who was suspected of attempting to steal a motorcycle. The motorcycle owner, Idoroenyin Udo, raised an alarm during the attempted theft, leading to the mob's pursuit and apprehension of the suspect.

Instead of handing him over to the police, the mob allegedly assaulted him and set him ablaze, resulting in his death. In response to a distress report, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command dispatched operatives to the scene and began a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest those involved in the mob action.

Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, condemned the killing and warned against jungle justice, emphasizing that individuals should not take the law into their own hands and must report suspected criminal activities to the police.