It was a dramatic scene at Nkwọ Ụga market in Uga Community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday, as members of the community apprehended a suspected gunman said to be terrorising the area.
It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the area on a bus and started shooting sporadically to disperse the people.
The hoodlums were said to have snatched some motorcycles from some commercial motorcyclists at the market to enhance their operation.
A source in the area said the youths trooped out to confront the hoodlums, who immediately fled with the snatched motorcycles, leaving the bus driver that came with them.
The bus driver was trapped as the youths immediately used iron barricades to block the road and then apprehended him as he alighted from the vehicle and attempted to escape into a nearby bush.
A video from the scene currently trending on social media showed the hoodlum surrounded by the villagers, with one of his legs almost cut off with a machete, while stains of blood were all over his body.
It was learnt that the mob nearly set him ablaze immediately but was advised to interrogate him rather than kill him, as he had already received adequate beating.
During the interrogation, the suspect said he hails from a community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The community stripped the suspect naked with assorted charms tied around his waist and chest.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, commended the people for their support and cooperation in fighting crime in the state.
He, however, urged them always to hand over any suspect caught to the law enforcement agencies for adequate investigation and prosecution, rather than resorting to jungle justice.
He also reassured the community that the government would not relent in its fight against crimes and insecurity in Anambra.
When contacted for his reaction, the state police spokesperson, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, promised to get back.
