Alleged bicycle thief escapes death from mob in Wa

An angry mob at Wa threw stones at the Police for coming to the rescue of a suspect they intended to set ablaze, for allegedly stealing a bicycle and Ghc500.00

The timely arrival of the Police at the scene prevented the mob from executing in full their plan to set the suspect ablaze.

Safiq Kayaani, the alleged bicycle thief who received severe beatings from the mob, according to eye witnesses, would have been burnt to death.

Eye witnesses said Safiq was released from prison less than two months ago.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Edmond Nyamekye, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Upper West Regional Police Command, said the suspect was alleged to have stolen a bicycle and an amount of Ghc500.00 from the compound house where he was residing.

ASP Nyamekye said the suspect believed to be in his late 20s, was then spotted riding the bicycle at Wapaani, a suburb of Wa by the owner (name not known) of the bicycle and upon confrontation the suspect admitted that he stole the bicycle and the money.

He said the suspect also disclosed that he left the money with one Hajia around T-Junction, a popular area in Wa.

ASP Nyamekye said upon this information, the suspect was then taken to the area to trace the Hajia he alleged to have given the money to, but to no avail.

He said this then angered the owner causing him to raise the alarm, which attracted the mob, who gave the suspect that severe beating until the Police intervened to save his life.

ASP Nyamekye advised the public not to mete out such treatment to suspects and the Police, saying it was against the law which could cause the arrest and prosecution of persons caught in the act.

The Police have since sent the suspect to the hospital for medical treatment after which he would assist in investigations.