Gang of suspected thieves narrowly escaped being lynched on Monday, while trying to steal a vehicle at P.O. W Mafemi Crescent in Jabi area of Abuja. They fortunely rescued by the police when the angry mob descended on them with sticks, iron rods and cables to beat up the suspects.


They were bleeding and their clothes torn before police officers arrived and whisked them away in their patrol van.

The suspects, Solomon Bena and Vitalis Enan said they did not have a specific place of residence in Abuja but sleep in construction sites where they usually work.

An eyewitness said the suspects had already used a master key to gain access to a Hyundai SUV parked by the roadside before the owner raised alarm.

He said one of the suspects opened the vehicle parked not far from a car wash on the street and entered before the other suspect who was watching from behind jumped into the car and were about driving off before the owner raised alarm.

They were driven back to the spot where the car was stolen when a crowd that had already gathered in the area.  He said the mob  action was fueled by the high number of vehicles stolen in the area.

The DPO of the Utako Police Division, Mr Sani Omolori Aliyu, confirmed the incident and said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded.