Undergraduate Lynched In Lagos Over Alleged Robbery, Victim Dies Hours After

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*friend says the upcoming musician was innocent of accusation

*four suspects involved in jungle justice apprehended – Police

By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos

In apparent exhibition of jungle justice, an undergraduate student in his final year, mistaken for a robber has been lynched in Lagos, New Nigerian Newspapers can exclusively report.

However, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the dastardly act.

It was exclusively gathered that the student identified as Jideofor Chigozie was wounded from machete cuts by some residents at Ganiyu Jimoh Street, opposite Ojo Military Cantonment in Onireke area of Ojo Local Government Council.

Chigozie, 23, a final year student of Nnamdi Azikwe University, who was also described as an upcoming musician with a single already produced, was said to have been wounded severely in the most dangerous part of his body before he was rescued by some neighbours.

His family members were said to have been informed by the Samaritans, who quickly stormed the scene and rushed him to Bonne Sante Hospital for treatment.

Sadly, our correspondent reliably gathered that he died at about 7.00am prompt on Sunday July 31, 2023 at the hospital, after doctors battled to save his life.

New Nigerian Newspapers exclusively gathered that trouble started for the late Chigozie last Thursday July 28, 2022 at about 6.00am, when he left their apartment at 18 Onugah Street, Onireke and started wandering.

He was said to have strayed and jumped into some compounds, before he was noticed by the landlord who raised an alarm.

A night guard and some residents were said to have been attracted by the alarm and rushed to the scene and inflicted machete cuts on him after being beaten to stupor.

He was however, rescued by some residents who identified him as a neighbour and a mentally imbalanced person.

One of the principal culprits, who inflicted machete cuts on him, identified as Somadinachukwu, is said to be at large.

According to findings, he owns a shop at Trade Fair Complex and has since the incident, closed shop.

A witness, who identified himself simply as Shola, informed our correspondent that residents of the compound mistook him for a robber and raised the alarm which attracted the night guard.

According to Shola, the guard upon arriving the scene alongside other residents, beat the victim and inflicted severe cuts on him with machetes.

He disclosed that the incident was reported at Onireke Police Station, adding that three suspects including the security guard were arrested in connection with the matter.

The late student, who is also a musical artiste, as learnt, just released a single musical video that is making waves in the area.

He hailed from Ogidi area in Anambra State.

He was said to have been held back home due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU).

“The guy was in company of his friends when he suddenly woke up at about 6.00am started wandering on the street. When his friends noticed he was no longer in bed, they followed him and before they could catch him, he had entered into a compound. Though the guy is battling with phycological problems.

” As the residents of the compound saw him, they began to shout thief, thief. His friends were then explaining to the people that he is not a thief, but mentally unstable.

Immediately, the night guard came and some other residents and began to beat him and used machete on him.

In spite of the explanation by his friends, they turned dead ears. The landlord accused him of being cohorts of robbers terrorising the area. They didn’t find any object on him, except his phone”, Shola stated.

When contacted on phone, his elder brother, Bosco Jideofor who was full of tears, confirmed the incident and said he was making arrangements to convey the corpse to a mortuary.

An impeccable police source who preferred anonymity confirmed the incident to our correspondent through a telephone chat.

He disclosed that some suspects have been arrested, adding that judges rule is being adopted to ascertain those who are really culpable.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin also confirmed the incident, but described the victim as a mentally challenged person.

He confirmed that four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

His words, ” A mentally challenged man left home without his caregivers noticing. He scaled the fence into a house and people took him for a thief and descended on him.

“He was rescued and taken to hospital. He died this morning. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case”.

Findings revealed the the late Chigozie developed some funny character about three months ago and began to behave in an usual manner.

Our correspondent learnt that this began when he started keeping company of some friends who engage in the consumption of some hard drinks and related substances.

Efforts to confirm this findings from his elder brother proved abortive, as he declined further questions, saying he will get back after depositing the corpse at the morgue.

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