U/R: Two suspected goat thieves severely beaten by youth at Tiza

Two young men at Tiza in the Jirapa municipality of the Upper West region are in critical condition after angry youth in the community unleashed a mob attack on them for stealing four goats.

The youth, justifying their action say several reports to the police have not yielded results and that the attack on the two is to serve as a deterrent and to halt the persistent stealing of goats and other ruminants in the Tiza community which has become a major security concern to the residents.

It was a sight to behold as the two suspected thieves were made to carry their booty in the full glare of traders at the Tiza market amidst severe beatings.

After several minutes, the suspects were then accosted and marched around the Tiza township with some of the youth calling for them to lynched.

When the beatings escalated, the accused thieves asked for mercy and water to quench their thirst but were denied.

Within minutes, the Tiza community became a scene of attraction as hundreds thronged the area to catch a glimpse of the two suspected thieves.

Narrating the incident to channel one News, one of the leaders of the youth said the Tiza community suffered several incidents of goat stealing until some children chanced upon the two young men preparing to kill the said goats in a nearby bush.

He said when the matter was reported to them, a team was dispatched to get the two arrested but upon arrival the alleged thieves attempted to escape but were apprehended with the goats and marched to the community.

One of the perpetrators of the Tizza mob attack said the practice was one of their cultural norms to discourage the incidence of stealing and other criminal activities in the area.

Commenting on the matter, the Upper West regional director of the commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Sidik Ubaidu admonished the youth to desist from all forms of mob attacks and report all suspected criminals to the police.