May 25, (THEWILL) – There was chaos in Owaelu Uratta community, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, on Thursday after a 22-year-old man was beaten to death by an angry mob over a missing power bank.
A resident of the area, Emmanuel Iwu, told Statesman that the deceased allegedly stole the power bank and sold it to an unsuspecting buyer.
“The person who bought it came to charge it at a Bet9ja shop nearby and was caught. He claimed the deceased sold it to him. That was how they started beating the boy. He was later brought home very weak. My uncle pleaded with his parents to take him to the hospital, but they refused. His father said he had brought too much shame to the family and that he was always stealing. He told them if he wanted to die, he should die,” Iwu recounted.
The young man reportedly died hours later. His death sparked tension in the community, leading to mass arrests and the burning of houses belonging to some of those suspected to be involved in the beating.
Efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered as of press time.
