In a dramatic turn of events in Calabar South, Cross River State, a landlord named Obong Ete was brutally assaulted by his tenants and neighbors after being accused of repeatedly stealing from them. The incident occurred on Sunday morning as residents were preparing for church.
Eyewitnesses reported that Ete, a bachelor in his 30s, had a history of terrorizing the neighborhood, often stealing food items and household belongings under the cover of night. Resident John Akpan revealed that this was not an isolated incident, stating, “Obong Ete has been doing this for a long time. It is good that he is again publicly disgraced.”
Magdalene Effiom, a tenant, added, “We learned from his family that he once stole from a church, and worshippers laid curses on him. Perhaps these curses are affecting him.”
Following the violent confrontation, community leaders forced Ete to swear an oath pledging he would cease his criminal activities. He expressed remorse, saying, “I am sorry for stealing. I swear that I will not continue to steal again.”
The community also expelled a young man who lived with Ete, suspecting him of complicity in the thefts. They warned him never to return, threatening legal action if he did.
In response to the incident, Police PRO Irene Ugbo condemned the mob justice, urging that such matters should be reported to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.