The home of Emmanuel Matemi Mereje, Chairman of Okpe area of Delta State was set ablaze alongside properties worth millions, following the death of a suspected thief, who was beaten to pulp for allegedly stealing a bag belonging to a lady in the community.


Chaos started on Sunday afternoon, when the suspect, simply identified as Clever, was apprehended and taken to the residence of the community chairman for allegedly stealing the said bag, during a football match in the community, Vanguard reports.

The suspect later died from injuries sustained from the beating resulting in pandemonium, which led to the destruction of properties and setting of fire to the house of the community chairman by a mob.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu confirmed the incident saying that the Youth Leader of the community has been arrested in connection with the death that occurred and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.