By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the death by lynching of an alleged car battery thief in Iyiowa Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.

According to sources, the deceased who was dumped in a refuse dump after his demise belongs to a gang that specialize in stealing car batteries.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: ?Police Operatives attached to the Atani Divisional Police Headquarters while on patrol today, May 7, 2025, by 12:30 pm recovered a burnt dead body in a waste dump at Iyiowa Odekpe.?

He said that Police investigation revealed that the deceased was allegedly caught and set ablaze by an angry mob after their criminal operations in the area.

Ikenga added: ?The victim was caught and set ablaze by an angry mob in the early hours of Wednesday, while his accomplices escaped.

?The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the mob action, urging residents to exercise restraint and not take the law into their hands.

?They should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest Police Station whenever they are apprehended.

?This would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct an appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspect and possibly arrest other gang members and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws.?

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