16th January, 2022
A mob in Warri, Delta state has beaten a man, who appeared to be mad, but was suspected to be a ritualist in disguise .
The man, who would have been lynched, was rescued from the mob by policemen from the Delta State Command.
A passerby had identified the man as a ritualist. He raised an alarm and the mob descended on him.
The suspect was searched on the spot. Found on him were phones, money including US dollars.
The mob almost set the man ablaze, but for swift intervention of the Nigeria Police. He was rescued and whisked away to the station.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe said the suspect is in custody.
“Yes, the police arrested someone pretending to be a lunatic, but can’t say if he’s a ritualist. Some amount of money, (N10,000) was found on him.
“He’s in the police custody as we speak. But, the police want to take him to the local government council, so they know what to do with him,” Edafe added.
A similar event occurred in Ughelli last week when a suspected ritualist, who disguised as a mad man, was on Thursday burnt alive by a mob.