A suspected armed robber on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu State was on Friday beaten by an angry mob after he was allegedly caught with a pump-action gun at a market square.
The suspect, identified as Friday Onwujekwu, popularly known as “Nwatico,” was apprehended by residents at Eke Market Square in Akiyi, Umulokpa area of Uzo Uwani Local Government Area.
A situation report obtained on Sunday indicated that the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on March 13, following a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer in Umulokpa that the suspect had been captured by members of the public and was being lynched.
The suspect had earlier been declared wanted by the police over an alleged attack on a member of a neighbourhood watch group.
Police sources said Onwujekwu had, on January 10, 2026, allegedly attacked one Okechukwu Dennis Okoaku at Awkunato village in Uzo Uwani and dispossessed him of a pump-action gun before fleeing the area.
He was said to have been on the run since the incident.
However, residents reportedly sighted him at the market square while still armed with the stolen weapon, leading to his capture.
Read Also:
- Police detain 5,895 suspects for various offences in Enugu
- Police arrest 3 suspects, seize weapons, hard drugs in Enugu
- Police detain 3, recover arms, motorcycle in Enugu
A police source said the suspect was being beaten by an irate mob when officers arrived at the scene.
The Divisional Police Officer was said to have mobilised a patrol team to the area, where the suspect was rescued with varying degrees of injuries.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Clinic in Enugu for treatment but was later referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Police authorities said the case has been transferred to the Command’s Crack Squad in Enugu for further investigation.
Sources added that the security situation in the state remains calm, with security agencies sustaining aggressive patrols and surveillance across communities.
