Man beaten by mob after being caught stealing from bus passenger

A man was caught today after he got on a bus pretending to be a passenger only to steal from one of the passengers.

The man identified as Mr Uwem got into a commercial vehicle in Akwa Ibom, which was journeying to Ekom Iman junction and Uwem boarded but soon alighted along University of Uyo Teaching Hospital at Abak Road.

Immediately Uwem got down from the bus, the man sitting closest to him checked his pocket and noticed it had been emptied. He raised an alarm and concerned citizens looked out to see the suspected thief about to board a tricycle. He was chased and caught.

After he was apprehended, he was taken to Etinan park at Ekom Iman junction where he was beaten.

Mr Uwem, from Ikot Akpan Abia, Ibesikpo, allegedly confessed to the crime and pleaded for forgiveness to avoid getting lynched.

"I followed him from plaza when I noticed that there was money in his pocket, please forgive me," he is quoted as saying.

The suspect was later set free by Chairman of the park after pleading for mercy.

was caught this morning by some men after allegedly stealing money from a man’s pocket in a moving vehicle in Akwa Ibom state. The incident happened in a mini bus heading to Ekom Iman junction from Plaza in Uyo, the state capital.