Three suspected transformer vandals were Thursday night beaten to death as an angry mob of youths from two Imo communities dispensed ‘instant justice’.
The vandals who were famed to possess and deploy voodoo powers to induce sleep on security guards at their target transformer houses, were apparently let down by their black magic which could not save them from when it mattered most.
Two of the suspects whose names were given as Ifeanyi Mgbakabala and Kelechi Eke(aka Agwo) hailed from Amagwa kindred in Umuagwu village in Umuohiagu, while the other suspect’s identity could not be ascertained as at news time.
Eyewitnesses told crimefacts.news that the vandals who specialized in vandalizing electricity transformers within the airport communities, were apprehended at Umuekwune kindred in Umuorisha village, attempting to vandalize the only remaining transformer in Umuohiagu.
They were said to have equally vandalized eight transformers in Umuohiagu alone in the past three months, effectively throwing the community into darkness. This was even as they also vandalized the cable being installed for the new radio house for the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.
The suspects had also, about four weeks ago, vandalized the transformer at the permanent base of the Nigeria Air Force at nearby Umuowa, a development that led to detention of the two Airforce personnel on guard for three weeks.
It was further learned that sequel upon the several vandalism, youth leaders in various villages had mobilised youths of the community when they learnt of the action at Umuekwune and alerted the Airforce men as they chased the suspects. Luck ran out on two of the suspects, who were apprehended while one escaped.
Witnesses said the suspects were dragged to the major road before the airport, where they were about being set ablaze before Airforce officers arrived the scene.
While Ifeanyi and Agwo were beaten within an inch of their lives before being handed over to the Nigerian Airforce personnel, where they gave up the ghost, the other suspect escaped to nearby Egbelu Obube community where he was reportedly caught and set ablaze by the youths of the village.
Before they were beaten to death, the suspects, had reportedly confessed to having used black magic to induce on security guards and people around their target transformer, including the guards at the Airforce Base, who they narrated went into deep sleep while they vandalized the transformers and cables.
The apprehension of the suspects and their confessions,
crimefacts.news gathered led to the release of the detained Airforce personnel Friday morning.
One of the suspects, Ifeanyi, was said to be the only son of his parents. He was said to have just returned from prison about four months ago having spent about eight months in prison for alleged armed robbery offence.
