A young man escaped being lynched to death after an angry mob attempted to set him ablaze for an alleged theft.
The incident occurred near the Abak Road Flyover, directly in front of the Church of Christ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, April 29 , 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, the young man, whose identity remains unknown as of press time, was allegedly accused theft. In a swift reaction, a crowd gathered and began to physically assault him, beating him mercilessly as others called for him to be burned alive.
Tension escalated quickly as some members of the mob reportedly brought fuel and tires to carry out the execution. It was at this critical moment that police officers arrived at the scene, responding to a distress call from a concerned bystander.
Their intervention, described by many as both timely and courageous, halted the violence and dispersed the crowd. The police succeeded in rescuing the victim from the angry youths and took him into protective custody for further investigation.
“The situation was getting out of control. If the police had delayed even for a few more minutes, we would have been reporting a very different story,” said a shop owner who witnessed the ordeal.
As of press time, the police have not issued an official statement regarding the young man’s condition or the nature of the allegations against him.
The incident has drawn public attention, with many expressing relief that the young man was spared and commending the police for their quick response.
.Others have decried the recurring pattern of jungle justice in the region, calling for more awareness, education, and stronger legal measures to address such extra-judicial acts.
