Sound engineer burnt to death in Lagos over N100

Police in Lagos have arrested four suspects in connection with the lynching and killing of a sound engineer identified simply as David in Lekki.

David and two of his colleagues were attacked by the mob but he lost his life while others sustained serious injuries.

The incident happened at Admiralty Way in Lekki on May 12. David and his friends Philip and Frank, one of them a saxophonist and the other a keyboard player, were getting set for performance at an event when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that Philip got into an argument with a commercial motorcyclist over N100. The motorcyclist asked to be paid N300 but Philip said he would pay N200.

One of the band members Timothy told BBC Pidgin that Philip hit the motorcyclist first during the argument. Timothy said the other motorcyclist who was carrying Frank got upset and raised alarm for fellow motorcyclists to come to their aid.

“That is how the other okada man began to gather his colleagues. They started to beat Frank and Philip. Meanwhile, the third member of the band David was already inside the event centre setting up sound.

“He heard what was happening and ran outside to stop the fight. Before you know it they began to beat him too,” he said.

A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media. The video captured where one of the mob was pouring petrol-like substance on David’s body.

The incident occurred the same day a student in Sokoto Deborah Samuel was lynched and burnt alive for allegedly blaspheming against Prophet Muhammad.

Spokesman of the police Benjamin Hundeyin said the person who was pouring the petrol-like substance is the main suspect who is on the run.

“It is true. Our men acted promptly. Four suspects have been arrested. We have launched a manhunt for others involved.

“The police will ensure prosecution of everyone involved. We will keep advocating against jungle justice. We also urge parents, religious and political leaders to join the advocacy against jungle justice,” he said.