KEY POINTS 

• A suspected armed robber, Saidu Sinah, aka Ojubintin ,was lynched by an angry mob in Agege, Lagos, after allegedly stabbing a woman and stealing her phone.
• The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for Sinah’s accomplices and those involved in the mob lynching, condemning the act of vigilante justice.
• The incident has sparked a debate about the rise of vigilante justice in Lagos, with some residents supporting the mob’s actions while others call for stricter adherence to the rule of law.

In a shocking incident that underscores the growing tension between crime and community justice in Lagos, a suspected armed robber, identified as Saidu Sinah, also known as Ojubintin, was lynched by an angry mob at AP/Akerele Junction in Agege, Lagos State.

The robbery incident, which occurred on March 15, 2025, has sparked a heated debate about the rise of vigilante justice in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital.

According to SaharaReporters, Ojubintin was accused of stabbing a middle-aged woman and stealing her mobile phone, an act that enraged residents of the community.

Ojubintin was apprehended by locals who took matters into their own hands, beating him severely before police could intervene.

Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. “On March 15, 2025, at about 06:30 hours, a distress call was received at Isokoko Division regarding a suspected armed robber who specialized in snatching mobile phones from commuters,” he said. “The suspect had been apprehended, severely beaten, and was on the verge of being lynched by an angry mob at AP/Akerele Junction, Agege.”

A Community on Edge: Vigilante Justice or Lawlessness?

The incident highlights the growing frustration among Lagos residents over the perceived inadequacy of law enforcement in curbing rampant crime.

Armed robberies, phone snatching, and violent attacks have become increasingly common in the city, leading some communities to resort to vigilante justice. However, this trend has raised concerns about the rule of law and the potential for innocent people to be caught in the crossfire.

Hundeyin revealed that police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the distress call that Ojubintin has been lynched to death.

However, upon their arrival, the mob scattered, leaving the Ojubintin in critical condition. “The suspect, later identified as Saidu Sinah ‘M’, a.k.a. Ojubintin, was found with severe injuries. He was immediately rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries,” Hundeyin stated.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ojubintin and his accomplices—who remain at large—allegedly stabbed the woman during the robbery. The victim was promptly taken to the hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Hundeyin added that the police have visited the hospital, inspected the victim, and photographed her injuries. The suspect’s body has been evacuated to a public morgue by the Lagos State Health and Monitoring Unit.