Outrage As Ikorodu Vigilance Groups Lynch Comedian
Nigerians on social media Monday condemned the killing of a comedian, Paul Chinedu, alias MC Think Twice by a vigilance group in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, who accused him of being a member of the dreaded ritual gang, Badoo.
Chinedu was one of three men set ablaze on Sunday morning at Odogunyan, Ikorodu after they were apprehended by vigilance group along Oju-Emuren Street. According to residents, the suspect who were caught around 1a.m., were said to have told the local security officials that they were going to tow a broken down vehicle, but their accusers were not convinced.
The three men were lynched and burnt, while the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) they drove in was also set ablaze. Chinedu, who was said to be returning from a show, had a flat tyre and sought help from the other two victims.
It was gathered that the trio rode in the SUV and were heading to the place the comedian’s vehicle broke down before they were stopped. Not convinced by their explanations, the vigilance group called out residents and the victims were burnt alive before dawn.
Chinedu’s friends, who learnt of his murder, lamented the barbaric action, urging the police to arrest and prosecute the culprits. The deceased’s friend, Ifeoluwa Olaoye, berated the vigilance group for resorting to jungle justice without investigation.
According to her, Chinedu was billed to perform at ‘Salt the Album’ launch on July 22, but was killed as a result of unverified accusation. “After receiving calls this morning that you were part of the people burnt to death by angry mob at Ikorodu, tears roll down my cheek! They mistook you for Badoo cultist, but you were just an entertainer, moving from pillar to pillar to earn a living and make it to the top!
“The angry mob never thought twice as your stage name implies (MC Think Twice). I still find hard it to believe that you are no more. The political elites have failed us yet we still strive to make a living without indulging in criminal act. Each time you performed on stage, I saw the next Basketmouth, AliBaba, AY in you but the only thing the angry mob could see in you was Badoo cult and they cut your dream short,” she said.
Coordinator, Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, Rasheed Fatuga, also condemned the killing of suspects, urging residents to be law abiding. While acknowledging that security agencies have failed Ikorodu residents, Fatuga appealed to the people not to allow bitterness and the thirst for vengeance rob them of their humanity.
“Are we going to just fold our arms and do absolute nothing about the security challenges we are facing in Ikorodu? No, we cannot let that happen. But we cannot turn ourselves into killers and murderers like them. We cannot let them take away our humanity. We cannot let them fill our consciences with regret.
