Hunger: Man, 25, escapes jungle justice for stealing goats in A’Ibom community

Abasiofiok Inyang

A 25-year-old man simply identified as Monday, escaped being lynched after he was caught red-handed with two live goats alleged to have been stolen.

Monday, an indigene of Obio Ndot community in Oruk Anam Local Government Area but based in Uyo, was alleged to have sneaked into the village community and made away with the two goats.

A source in the community told our correspondent that the alleged thief who is an ex-convict of other crimes, is noted to have been engaged in stealing people’s goats and selling them in Uyo after he returned from prison.

On the fateful night, he was said to have been caught by eagle eye youths who take charge of providing security in the community.

The source further revealed that after Monday was caught, he was given the beatings of his life as well as several matchet cuts while petrol was being sourced to roast him before the elders of the community intervened and called the police who eventually rescued him.

It would be recalled that the same Monday who sells roasted pork meat in Uyo, had two years ago stolen two goats from the community and put them in a chartered tricycle popularly called Keke and when he was caught, he fled from the tricycle while the rider was arrested and taken to the police station at Abak Divisional headquarters.

Speaking with our reporter, the alleged thief, confessed to the crime, and said: “It’s hunger that pushed me into this mess”. He promised to repent from the crime if he was left off the hook.

Findings revealed that after the rescue, he was taken to a private clinic for first aid before he was taken to the police station where he is currently cooling his feet.

A senior police officer at the station confirmed the rescue of the alleged thief, noting that the investigation is still ongoing and that he would be handed over to the legal department for prosecution.