Yenagoa — In a shocking incident of jungle justice, a first-class graduate of the University of Ibadan, identified as Opuofoni Freeborn Ebimotimi, was brutally killed by an angry mob in the early hours of today in Honeyhill Tombia, Bayelsa State. The tragic incident occurred after Ebimotimi was accused of stealing a loaf of bread.
Ebimotimi who hails from the Korokorosei community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, had recently obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (B.Sc) and was seeking employment opportunities. According to witnesses, the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft remain unclear, as Ebimotimi’s friends and neighbors rushed to the scene and pleaded with the mob to spare his life, offering to reimburse the cost of the bread multiple times over. Regrettably, their appeals fell on deaf ears, and the mob proceeded to beat him to death.
In a heart-wrenching account, Ebimotimi’s younger sister, Opuofoni Freeborn Idisemi, expressed her profound grief and anguish over the loss of her brother.
She shared that life had been consistently challenging for their family since the passing of their father.
Despite their hardship, she highlighted their ongoing efforts to secure employment for Ebimotimi, who had repeatedly sought assistance from their uncle, Senator Konbowei Benson, the representative for Bayelsa Central. Unfortunately, their appeals for support had been consistently denied.
Idisemi’s sorrowful words conveyed the immense pain and disappointment she felt towards their community and the lack of assistance from family members. She lamented the tragic circumstances surrounding her brother’s death, expressing disbelief that such a fate had befallen him.
She wrote;
“My brother Ebimotimi is a graduate and it’s too painful to carry this pain, Life has been unfair to us since when we lost our dad, I don’t know what led him to steal bread this morning because we are used to the hardship of life.
“It’s pathetic that we have a senator as a uncle, the senator representing Bayelsa central is our uncle, my brother have been going to his office for jobs but Senator Konbowei Benson always decline his applications.
“My heart is heavy because I never knew this is how am going to lose my dear brother. What is the need for living when you have bloods who can not help you. What a disgrace to my community.”
The incident has ignited widespread outrage and condemnation from individuals across Bayelsa State, who are demanding justice for Ebimotimi. The senseless act of vigilantism highlights the urgent need for effective law enforcement and a fair justice system that safeguards the rights and lives of individuals, irrespective of their alleged crimes.
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As investigations into this horrific incident continue, the community and concerned citizens hope that those responsible for the brutal killing of Opuofoni Freeborn Ebimotimi will be identified, apprehended, and held accountable for their actions. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by jungle justice and the pressing need to address the underlying issues of poverty, unemployment, and social injustice in Nigerian society.
