Five suspected kidnappers met their Waterloo over the weekend at Uokha community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State after they were nabbed in action and burnt to death by angry natives.
It was gathered that the suspected kidnappers, armed with assorted guns, had abducted some travellers on the highway.
However, the suspected kidnappers ran out of luck as they were arrested by vigilantes who brought them out of the forest.
Residents of the community, on sighting the arrested kidnappers, snatched them from the vigilantes and set them alight.
A source in the area said unknown to the kidnappers, the vigilantes got wind of the incident, mobilised and waylaid the suspects inside the bush as they were taking their victims into captivity.
“The kidnappers would have been contacting the families of the abducted travellers to demand ransom if not for the bravery of the vigilantes, while locals, who were fed up with the criminal activities of these kidnappers, set them on fire.”
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the state police command, Kontongs Bello, said investigation was still ongoing.
He said: “After the kidnap, the vigilantes went in search of the criminals who they apprehended in the bush.
“As they were coming out of Uokha community on their way to the police station, angry youths in Uokha and adjoining towns took away the suspected kidnappers from the vigilantes.
“All efforts to get the suspects to the police proved abortive as they were burnt to death. Investigation is still ongoing,” he added.
