In a chilling incident that highlights the rising crime rates in Bibiani, a suspected thief in his late 40s was reportedly lynched by unidentified assailants in the early hours of Sunday, June 4, 2023. The lifeless body of the man was discovered between Whenampori and Nantwikumye, off the Bibiani-Bekwai road. Local residents expressed their frustration with rampant robbery cases and theft in the area, claiming that no arrests have been made by the authorities.
Amidst the outcry, the killing was greeted with relief by some community members who saw it as a victory against the terrorizing thieves. Assemblyman Adam Smith of Hwenampori Electoral Area justified the lynching as a deterrent to other criminals, citing a previous arrest of the deceased for a similar crime. Smith cautioned potential thieves, warning them of the consequences if they dared to venture into the area, while encouraging the youth to channel their efforts towards honest work.
The police have intervened in the aftermath, transferring the deceased’s body to the Bibiani Government Hospital. This incident serves as a dark reminder of the complex issues surrounding crime and vigilantism in the region, leaving residents grappling with a sense of justice meted out by their own hands.