On Easter Monday, while Christians worldwide commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an Uber driver, Tope Olorunfemi, was reportedly pleading for his life in the Ijoka vicinity of Akure, Ondo State.
Amidst a frenzied mob, the accused was pelted with stones and beaten with sticks, as he faced allegations of engaging in fraudulent activities on the internet, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boy” practises.
Read Also Drama As Woman Breaks Ibadan Electric Official’s Leg Over Bill
Accompanying him was his mother, Mojisola, who implored the crowd to release her son, a mere visitor to the town, as he was there solely to spend time with his wife and child who were vacationing with her.
Despite the pleas made, the mob proceeded to burn the woman and her son.
The grieving mother recounted the distressing event with tears in her eyes, stating, “Upon my arrival, I discovered him lying in a pool of blood with his face pressed against the ground.” Upon calling out to him, he lifted his head and directed his gaze towards my countenance.
Supplementary Elections: Man shot dead for snatching ballot box
When attempting to transport an injured individual to a medical facility, I sought assistance from the victim’s siblings. However, upon arrival at the hospital, I was met with hostility from the local populace, who threatened me with physical violence. The victim was struck and instructed not to transport the perpetrator.
According to eyewitness accounts, an individual from the surrounding crowd doused the victim with petrol and subsequently ignited a piece of cloth before hurling it in their direction. The cloth was promptly retrieved and disposed of by the individual in question, who had hastened to the location in question. An individual reportedly made a threatening remark towards the subject, suggesting that physical violence should be inflicted upon them once more.
EFCC, ICPC investigate 78 as INEC names 200 electoral offenders
The perpetrator allegedly questioned the identity of the subject, stating, “Who is this woman?” The distressed individual claimed filial relation to the incapacitated individual and implored assistance in transporting him.
The individual in question was subjected to another instance of a lit cloth being hurled in their direction. However, they promptly took control of the situation by removing the burning cloth and discarding it, as it had already caused harm to their person. Upon discarding the cloth, a towering gentleman by the name of Luku emerged. Luku, an acquaintance of Tope’s older sibling, made his presence known. In a disturbing incident witnessed by this reporter, a physical altercation ensued between two individuals identified as Tope and Luku. The altercation reportedly began when Tope’s elder brother attempted to intervene, informing Luku that Tope was his younger sibling. Despite this, Luku proceeded to physically assault Tope, wielding a stick and striking him in the head. The severity of Tope’s injuries remains unclear at this time.
“Another man, Jobe, also carried a stone and hit his face. Tears streamed down my face as I departed the scene, coming to the stark realisation that I was powerless to effect any change. According to eyewitness accounts, a serpent was reportedly spotted within the confines of the individual’s vehicle. The inquiry was made as to the whereabouts of the serpent, as it was not within the observer’s line of sight. According to the witness, they reportedly observed a piggy bank and articles of clothing intended for children. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that said items belonged to the subject’s spouse and offspring, which were inadvertently left within the confines of the vehicle in question. The individual in question was not affiliated with the notorious group known as “Yahoo boys.”
A vehicular collision has occurred.
According to reliable sources, it has been reported that Tope’s Toyota Camry was involved in a fatal accident resulting in the loss of two lives and multiple injuries along the Ijoka Road, which was undergoing construction at the time.
According to reports from our correspondent, a group of individuals, predominantly consisting of commercial motorcyclists, commonly referred to as Okada riders, reportedly attacked a driver after discovering certain items within his vehicle. The group alleged that the items were intended for use in money rituals.
This made them believe that the 35-year-old was involved in Internet fraud, aka Yahoo Yahoo.
The purported sympathisers and rescuers, incensed by their purported observations, transformed into a violent mob and fatally assaulted the driver, subsequently setting his vehicle ablaze.
Despite the concerted efforts of the state police command, the victim ultimately succumbed to their injuries and passed away.
According to reports, law enforcement officials arrived at the scene later than expected.
Despite the police’s assertion of deploying personnel to the vicinity to apprehend the culprits, the event has sparked a contentious debate.
According to a resident, who preferred to remain anonymous and was identified only as Segun, the deceased was allegedly involved in fraudulent activities.
According to the authorities, three live tortoises were discovered in the suspect’s vehicle, along with a small coffin, a local sponge and soap, a duvet, and a pair of women’s undergarments. These items were reportedly confiscated from the suspect’s possession.
However, there were many who held the belief that the alleged fetish items discovered in the vehicle were insufficient grounds for labelling Tope as an online scammer.
In the pursuit of justice, a thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the truth and hold accountable those who have committed wrongdoing. The search for justice requires a commitment to fairness, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law. It is a fundamental principle of a just society and essential for maintaining public trust in our institutions. Therefore, it is imperative that all efforts are made to ensure that justice is served and that those who have been wronged are given the opportunity to seek redress.
Mojisola, the mother of Tope, alongside his wife, Mosunmola, have implored security agents to take swift action in apprehending the culprits responsible for the heinous act.
The accused pair has refuted the accusation of their alleged involvement in online fraudulent activities, asserting that one of them was employed as an Uber driver.
According to his mother, who is a cocoa merchant, her son was a person with a relaxed and amiable personality. He attended Merchant Navy School located in Oran, Ogun State. Following the completion of his education and a lack of employment opportunities, he made the decision to remain in Lagos and seek employment there.
Upon his return, he stated that he had been engaging in entrepreneurial activities in Lagos and expressed his intention to pursue a career as an Uber driver upon acquisition of a vehicle. The vehicle in question was reportedly purchased by the individual’s father approximately three years prior, after which the individual had been operating the vehicle as an Uber driver in the bustling city of Lagos.
The woman who was mourning recounted that Tope had made a trip to his hometown during the Easter period.
The individual in question opted to return home to ensure the safety and well-being of his spouse and offspring, who happened to be under my care at the time. Upon his arrival, the gentleman’s spouse suggested a prompt return to Lagos. However, he expressed a desire to remain for the time being, instructing his partner to seek refuge at her maternal abode while he arranged for her retrieval upon his own return to Lagos.
Subsequently, he expressed his concern regarding the possibility of his offspring being bitten by insects. In response, his spouse conveyed to him the logistical challenge of packing their belongings upon disembarking from a public bus in Ojota. Subsequently, the individual proceeded to retrieve a selection of garments belonging to his offspring and spouse from a container, subsequently transferring them into his automobile with the intention of transporting them to Lagos.
On the morning of Monday, attempts were made to contact the individual in question via telephone, however, the device was found to be powered off. Subsequently, I received a phone call from his paternal figure, who was audibly vocalising his name in a raised tone. Subsequently, I arrived at the location of the occurrence.
The individual expresses a desire for justice from the government. The bereaved parent is calling for government intervention in bringing to justice the perpetrators responsible for the deliberate killing of their child. According to a statement made in the video, an individual was described as exhibiting arrogance and lacking the financial means to acquire attire comparable to that of the speaker’s son. It is imperative that the case be thoroughly investigated and handled with utmost care.There were allegations that he was involved in cybercrime, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo,” due to the perception that young men driving expensive cars are often involved in such activities.
The subject’s father is a wealthy individual who owns a prominent cocoa enterprise in Akure, which is facilitated by a fleet of four trucks utilised for the transportation of cocoa products. The individuals who claimed that he leased an apartment for a group of individuals who conducted fraudulent activities on his behalf are disseminating false information, as he did not reside in Akure. The individual in question was situated in the bustling city of Lagos and held a position as a driver for the popular ride-hailing service, Uber. The statement was made out of envy, according to the source. The individual in question was identified as a hustler and a driver for the ride-hailing service, Uber.
Mosunmola, the wife of the deceased, has refuted the allegations levelled against her late husband, stating that he was a mere Uber driver in Lagos and not involved in any form of ritualistic practises.
According to the speaker, it is possible to verify the information by consulting with the individual’s acquaintance, who goes by the name Oba and is currently located in Lagos. The two individuals reportedly became acquainted through their participation in the ride-sharing service Uber.
The Ondo State Police Command has officially confirmed the apprehension of two individuals believed to be involved in the aforementioned incident.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, law enforcement officials have already been dispatched to apprehend additional suspects, who will subsequently be prosecuted.
Experts are calling for a re-orientation.
According to legal practitioner Mr. Ayo Alade, there is an urgent need for the government to address the issue of jungle justice in the country and provide reorientation to the populace on the matter.
According to his statement, “The occurrence of such events in a community of rational individuals is unacceptable, as we do not inhabit an environment that is characteristic of the animal kingdom.” The presence of security agencies in the town raises questions as to why they did not turn over the individual in question to the police, allowing the legal system to take its due course, particularly if they had reason to suspect him of engaging in fraudulent online activities. Despite not being present at the scene of the incident, it is worth noting that the videos available on the internet do not appear to provide any evidence of the alleged fetish material that purportedly justified the violent lynching and destruction of the vehicle in question.
According to public affairs analyst Mr. Isa Bahiru, the police and judicial system have lost the trust of the people.
As per his statement, it is widely acknowledged that surrendering individuals suspected of criminal activity to law enforcement officials may not necessarily result in a significant outcome, given that numerous suspects have been released without undergoing due legal process.
According to the speaker, the act of jungle justice is highly disdained due to the unfortunate reality that it often results in the punishment of innocent individuals. The Nigerian populace, however, tends to resort to this form of vigilante justice as a result of their lack of faith in the country’s law enforcement agencies. It is believed that surrendering suspected criminals to the authorities may not yield the desired outcome of justice, as there is a likelihood of their eventual release.
Such events would be deemed implausible in a rational society. The imperative need for governmental action to reform both our police and judicial systems has become increasingly apparent. Had law enforcement officials arrived promptly at the location, the individual in question may have been successfully rescued. Furthermore, if members of the public had confidence in the justice system, they may not have resorted to vigilante behaviour. The individual expressed their intention to implore law enforcement officials to identify and apprehend those responsible for engaging in acts of vigilante justice.
