There was tension around Ijokodo-WAEC junction in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday when some hoodlums set ablaze two suspected thieves who allegedly snatched a motorcycle.
The incident occurred at about 6:45 a.m., when the mob swooped on the suspects opposite the Cheshire Orphanage Home, on the Sango-Eleyele expressway and set them alight.
It was alleged that some individuals, suspected to be internet fraudsters, later came to the scene and bought some body parts from the hoodlums who burnt the suspects.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Dada Baloga, revealed that the criminals had snatched a motorcycle at Ologuneru area of Ido Local Government early in the morning.
Baloga said: “This morning (Thursday), we heard that two boys stole a motorcycle and snatched a bag containing an unspecified amount of money around Ologuneru. Some people attacked the thieves at Ologuneru area, but the policemen rescued them.
“While the police were taking them away, some motorcyclists kept following them until they were able to seize the suspects, who were then beaten and stripped naked around WAEC junction.
“At that time, the policemen who earlier rescued the suspects at Ologuneru area decided to vacate the scene, thus leaving them at the mercy of the mob.
“So those following them from Ologuneru and some okada riders overpowered them here, where they were interrogated.
“They (suspects) confessed that they came from Agodi Gate area and that they specialised in stealing motorcycles.
“Following the beatings, the suspects became very weak and the okada riders scooped petrol from their tanks and used it to set them alight.
“We called the police at this period to save the situation, but there was no response.
“The bizarre aspect of the whole case was that some people later came and bought the severed head and other body parts of the suspects from the hoodlums.
“We were there seeing them paying for the parts and leaving immediately. It was a horrible scene. It was like they were transacting a business.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident.
He said an investigation was already ongoing into the case.
