By Asare Asare
A landlord, identified simply as Obong Ete, whose house is on Waddell Street Calabar South of Cross River State, has been beaten to a pulp by his tenants and neighbours for robbing them.
The neighbourhood flogged the landlord with horse whips and canes; hit him with planks and severely beat him up.
The incident happened on Sunday just when his tenants and other neighbours were about to depart for Sunday worship.
Residents of the area complained that Obong Ete, in his 30s, a bachelor, was in the habit of terrorising them almost every night
One of the residents, John Akpan said this young man, despite being a landlord continually steals food items such as bunches of bananas and household items, dispossessing neighbours of their valuables at night.
“Obong Ete has been doing this for a long time. It is good that he is again publicly disgraced. He doesn’t want to repent. Many times, youth leaders and vigilante groups have traced stolen items to his apartment, and beaten him up”, Akpan narrated.
A tenant, Magdalene Effiom, said “We learnt from his family people that he once stole from a church, and worshippers laid curses on him. Perhaps these curses are affecting him.
“Other neighbours whom he has burgled their homes have also been cursing him, too.”
After the severe beatings, the youth leaders who have often handed him over to the divisional police officer of Mbukpa station, forced him to swear an oath that he will not rob or terrorize his tenants and neighbours any further.
Brutalized Obong Ete said, “I am sorry for stealing. I swear that I will not continue to steal again.”
He agreed that if he ever stole again, they were free to mete out any measures deemed fit.
The youth leaders strongly suspected a young man who cohabited with him as an accomplice.
They forced him out of the landlord’s apartment, warning him never to return to the community or face the long arm of the law if he ever did.
In a reaction, the Police PRO, Irene Ugbo disapproved of the brutalization, advising that such cases should always be handed over to the police.
Culled from Daily Trust.