From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia

A man allegedly committing sodomy with underage boys has been nabbed in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. He was paraded naked by a mob, which nearly lynched him.

Paraded by irate mob who caught him in the act, the suspect, in his 50s, known  within the quarters as a tailor, is said to be popular among underage male children, at the Railway Quarters area, near old Abia Tower/NUJ Press Centre in Umuahia.

Luck ran out on the suspect on Wednesday as residents,   who suspected something fishy when they heard the cry of a boy in the tailor’s shop, which was locked.  They broken into the wooden shop and caught  the suspect forcing his manhood into the boy’s anus.

The surprised neighbours also saw three other naked boys in the shop mopping, as if hypnotised.  The discovery infuriated the neighbours, who raised the alarm to attract other people.

A mob had gathered and pounced on the suspect, stripped him naked and  paraded  him round the area. The suspect was beaten mercilessly, but was saved by the arrival of policemen.

The suspect’s refusal to disclose his identity and his reason for engaging in sodomy enraged the mob, which descended on him, even after the police arrived.

The police took away the suspect and the four boys.

One of the kids found in  the suspect’s shop,  who could not give his name or identity, said he hailed from Ikwuano area of the state, while the other  who looked hypnotised, said he hailed from Ohuhu, in Umuahia North LGA.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nta O. Nta, said the police were aware of the matter therefore looking into it.