By Halimah Olamide
A First Class graduate of the University of Ibadan, Ebimotimi Freeborn has been lynched in Bayelsa state over allegation that he stole a loaf of bread.
The incident was said to have happened at Tombia-Amassoma Road, in the Yenagoa area of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, in a statement on Tuesday, identified those arrested in connection with the killing as Preye Mathew, Theophilus Tiro and Famous Precious.
Said to have graduated from the University of Ibadan with a First Class, family members who witnessed the incident were said to have pleaded to no avail begging that they would pay the cost of the bread so the mob could spare his life. The irate youths who insisted on killing Freeborn were said to have dismissed all pleas going ahead to kill the man, said to be 32 years of age. Butswat said, “The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the mob action by an unruly crowd, which led to the death of Ebimotimi Freeborn, 32.
“The suspects, Preye Mathew, 50, Theophilus Tiro, 28, and Famous Precious, 22, were arrested on July 9, 2023, around 5pm along the Tombia- Amassoma Road, after an angry mob lynched the suspect to death for allegedly stealing bread.
“The command condemns the action of the mob and warns members of the public to desist from taking laws into their own hands. The suspects are undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.”