THERE was apprehension in the Dei Dei region of the Federal Capital Territory yesterday evening after a mob attacked police officers from the Gwagwa police division.
The officers, numbering around five, had gone to save a man named Mubarak, who was on the verge of being lynched over a claim of manhood disappearance.
Information gathered revealed that a yet-to-be-identified man had raised the alarm of his manhood disappearance after coming in contact with Mubarak.
Speaking to reporters today, a resident of the area who did not want to be identified stated that the mob approached the accused and began beating him in order for him to return the alleged missing manhood.
He said the presence of the police worsened the matter as the mob rather than release the accused to them attacked the police and destroyed their vehicle.
The resident said, “On Thursday evening at Dei-Dei Timber market, a man called Mubarak was attacked by an angry mob after a man said his manhood went missing after having contact with him. He cried out for help and some people gathered round Mubarak. He was beaten and almost lynched when about five policemen came to the scene to rescue him. All efforts by the police to ensure that the mob released Mubarak to them fell on deaf ears.
“The mob then turned to the policemen and destroyed their vehicle. Those who escaped call their office and they are reinforced to the place. The whole area was tensed yesterday and we are not even sure what would happen next. This manhood issue is getting out of hand now, it is time we do something about it.”
SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesman, confirmed the event when contacted.
She noted that the mob attacked police officers who had been dispatched to the location.
Adeh said, “Our men deployed to the scene to rescue the man was attacked. Reinforcement was immediately deployed. Normalcy has been restored to the area. Lawful citizens can go about their activities without fear. ”
She did, however, noted that the Commissioner of Police condemned the attack on the police and has ordered that the perpetrators of the crime be arrested.
She said, “The CP condemned in strong terms the attack on policemen. He has ordered those involved should be arrested. We are for the umpteenth time warning against mob attacks, particularly on the issue of organ disappearance. We have arrested 14 people involved, and we will continue to do so.”
