Three boys escaped lynching over theft in Edo State

Edo – Three boys aged between 15 and 17 years on Monday escaped being burnt to death by a mob over alleged theft of N11, 500 and a Techno phone worth N4, 000.

They were alleged to have stolen the items inside the St. Paul Anglican Church at Ologbo village in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State.

The mob had placed tyres on the boys after beating them before they were rescued by the police.

Names of the suspects were given as Goodluck Benson, Omoruyi Isaiah and Ediomwan Desmond.

A drama ensued when the boys were to be arraigned at a magistrate court on a four- count charge of stealing and belonging to an unlawful society called Blade.

Benson told Chief Magistrate Esohe Bazuaye that he was 17 and not 19 as written by the police on the charge sheet.

The magistrate was enraged on why they were not taken to a juvenile court instead of a regular court.

The suspects informed the magistrate that they were from broken homes and were not caught at the crime scene.

The boys said they confessed to the crime because the mob threatened to kill them.

Magistrate Bazuaye pleaded with the Pastor in charge of the church, Rev. Johnson Nwatamuojor, to forgive the suspects and joined hands in rehabilitating them.

She told Rev. Johnson that the suspects would become a criminal if they were sent to a remand home.

She said “Has God not given you the assignment to win souls? We can turn the live of these kids around by making them become something better in the future.

“No child is too difficult to be placed on the right path. As a man of God, the church can pay for their upkeep. Their present situation is not their fault. It is the parents.

“Don’t give up in them. You have lots of sheep. These are part of the weak ones.”

Rev. Johnson said he was happy that the suspects were arrested, adding that he could not stop the police from doing their job.

He said the suspects have been rooted in anti-social activities.

The suspects were later taken to a juvenile court but journalists were barred from the proceedings.

Three boys escaped lynching over theft in Edo State