In the small town of Delta State, Nigeria, a horrific tragedy recently rocked the community. A young tricycle driver, nicknamed ‘Smally’, aged just 15, was subjected to unspeakable violence that shocked the residents of the area.
The incident took place between Ugbuwangue and Ogunu communities, where Smally was plying his trade as a tricycle driver. His assailant, identified as Jereoma from Jeddo community, Okpe County, violently ended his young life by fatally beating him with an axe.
The young tricycle driver, who had just embarked on the profession less than a month ago, had picked up his assailant between 8pm and 9pm for a ride from Ugbuwangue to Ogunu on a hired basis. Sadly, he was brutally murdered in Ogunu, his body dumped near a banana plantation next to a private school at Ogunu Bridge.
After committing the terrible act, the assailant, with his shirt soaked in blood, tried to escape by taking the victim’s tricycle. However, his escape was stopped when the tricycle fell into a ditch. Hausa traders, who witnessed the scene, rushed to help the injured driver, but soon realized the extent of the tragedy when they discovered the horrible truth.
When questioned about the ownership of the tricycle by these traders, the assailant was confused and unable to give a clear answer. Alerted by the events, the Ugbuwangue community took the suspect in charge for questioning, before handing him over to the local police.
However, the search by other tricycle drivers in the area led to a shocking discovery: the mutilated body of young Smally, his head violently beaten with an axe. This gruesome discovery sparked anger among local residents, who took justice into their own hands even before the judicial authorities arrived.
The fact that the mob decided to take justice into their own hands by burning the alleged killer alive is a testament to the anger and desperation felt in the face of such violence. The speed and brutality of this response highlights the serious shortcomings in the justice and security system in the area, leaving residents feeling abandoned and forced to take their own justice.
This tragedy should not be simply a news story, but rather a wake-up call for local authorities to strengthen the security and protection of citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The story of Smally, the innocent young tricycle driver, must not be forgotten; it must serve as a catalyst for positive change and better protection for the community as a whole.