Two alleged thieves met a grisly fate on Wednesday as they fell victim to mob justice in the Udo Obio district of Iboko, located in the capital of Akwa Ibom State, Uyo.

According to reports from PUNCH Metro, the pair were part of a trio suspected of orchestrating thefts against residents and commuters as they journeyed to their workplaces. The three culprits, utilizing a tricycle, reportedly robbed several commuters of their valuable possessions.

After perpetrating their crimes, the three robbers found themselves pursued by a group of individuals who were incensed by their actions. In the ensuing chase, one of the culprits managed to evade capture and fled the scene. However, the remaining two were apprehended and promptly subjected to a violent vigilante assault, ultimately being set ablaze along with the tricycle that was employed in their criminal activities.

A local resident, Nnamso Inyang, verified these events in a phone interview, narrating, "When I came outside, I witnessed the spectacle of two individuals being burned. They were accused of robbing commuters. They had used a tricycle to steal phones from commuters earlier that morning. As they attempted to escape, the pursuing individuals caused their tricycle to crash. Subsequently, they exited the tricycle and tried to flee on foot. However, they were chased down and caught."

Another observer named Iboro Wilson acknowledged that the area had been plagued by recurrent thefts. He confirmed, "Yes, it occurred this morning. They were apprehended after robbing several people and were subsequently burned to death."

Images that circulated on social media showcased the tricycle and the suspects engulfed in flames, while onlookers maintained a safe distance from the gruesome scene.

When contacted for comment, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Ogbeche-Macdon, professed ignorance about the incident. He remarked, "I am not aware of it. I don’t have the information."