Three men in Ekiti State have been arrested for allegedly stealing 17 goats a few weeks after they were granted bail for a similar offence.
The gang was nabbed on Saturday at the Okeyinmi area of Ado Ekiti by some commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) and youths.
The goats were said to have been stolen at Ilupeju Ekiti in the Oye Local Government Area and were conveyed in a black Honda Accord with number plate, LAGOS AJ 798 BDG.
Luck ran out of the suspects when they reportedly hit an okada rider and his passenger very close to the roundabout in the area.
Their refusal to show concern to the victims angered the bystanders who challenged them on why there were driving recklessly at such a major junction.
The crowd at the scene continued to grow in number the booth of the car was forced open which led to the discovery of large number of goats which aroused suspicions that the animals were stolen.
On closer look, the mouths of the goats were smeared with salt and sealed with big sellotapes to prevent the animals from bleating so as not to attract attention of people.
The suspects’ clothes were drenched in blood due to the merciless beating received from the mob.
The okada riders claimed that members of the syndicate has an unnamed “godfather” who bail them from police stations anytime they are caught hence their resolve not to allow them to be taken to any station this time around.
As the “jungle justice” was going on, policemen arrived the scene and hot argument ensued with the mob who expressed fear that the suspects may be released again.
Reason later prevailed and the suspects were whisked to the Okesa Police Station but the car was left behind with okada riders keeping watch in the damaged vehicle.
Some residents, who rushed to the scene of the accident, saw the goats inside the car which aroused their suspicion.
A witness said, “On close observation, the mouths of the goats were smeared with salt and sealed with Sellotape.
“The mob descended on them after rescuing the goats. They wanted to kill them.”
They were, however, saved by policemen, who whisked them away.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, said the accident victims were receiving treatment at a hospital.
“The suspects were recently charged to court for a similar offence, but were released on bail,” he added.