Police Arrest Three Suspects for Killing Bread Thief in Bayelsa

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday  confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the mob action that led to the death of Mr. Ebimotimi Freeborn, a 32-year-old male, who was allegedly caught stealing bread from a bakery located along Etegwe-Amassoma Road in the Yenagoa metropolis.

In a statement that was issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, the suspects, Ms. Preye Mathew, 50 years female; Mr. Theophilus Tiro, 28 years male, and Mr. Famous Precious, 22 years male, were arrested for allegedly taking part in the mob action.

According to sources, the first class graduate of University of Ibadan who hailed from Korokorosei Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area went into petty theft after he lost his father, the bread winner of the family, few years ago.

It was further learnt that the deceased had been constantly robbing the finished products of the bakery, but was caught on that fateful day by the employees of the bread factory.

He was caught while attempting to escape with a sack of local bread popularly known as madiga (Ijaw Bread).

The deceased allegedly confessed to the theft, saying that he sells his stolen products to some customers who denied him when they were accosted, claiming they had never transacted business with him.

Unhappy with the fact that the late University of Ibadan First class  graduate wasted their time, the angry mob began to beat him until he gave up the ghost.

However, the police have condemned the action of the mob and warned members of the public to desist from taking the laws into their own hands.

The PPRO said that the suspects, who were part of the lynching, are presently undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.