Couple burnt to death over alleged motorcycle theft in Imo

Some angry youths have reportedly burnt to death a yet-to-be identified couple in Orogwe, Ohii axis in Owerri-west LGA of Imo state.

A community source told TheCable that the couple “usually operate” around the community and neighbouring villages.

The source said the couple was caught on Monday while “absconding with a stolen motorcycle after robbing a motorcyclist off his bike with a pistol”.

“The couple is well known in the community but no one knows they were involved in motorcycle snatching until today when they were caught,” the source said.

“Many people have lost their motorcycles along this road and people were already at alert waiting for the day the criminals would be caught.

“They were caught today while trying to dispossess a bike man of his motorcycle along Orogwe/Ohii road. Because the youths and community vigilante were already enraged by the ugly trend, they refused to hand them to the police.

“But what I don’t know is if the couple is from the community. It was terrible. As we speak, the bodies have been burnt along the road.”

When contacted, Henry Okoye, the force spokesperson in the state, said the command “was yet to be briefed on the incident”.