Residents of Auchi in Edo State were thrown into shock following the arrest of an iron scavenger allegedly found in possession of a pump-action rifle, raising fresh concerns about insecurity and illegal arms circulation in the area.
The dramatic incident came to light after a video posted on TikTok by user @leftistscorner captured the moment the suspect was confronted and interrogated by local residents. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows the young man surrounded by a crowd as he is questioned over the origin of the firearm.
In the video, the suspect claimed he obtained the weapon from an individual simply identified as “Emma”, a response that appeared to further enrage the onlookers. The situation quickly escalated, with scenes of physical torture reportedly meted out to the suspect before the arrival of any security personnel.
Eyewitnesses expressed alarm at the growing trend of firearms being found in the hands of civilians, especially among individuals engaged in seemingly harmless occupations such as scavenging.
“This is the kind of thing we fear most,” one resident commented. “If a scavenger can carry a pump-action, who knows how many others are out there with weapons?”
The incident has since triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many commenters linking it to the wider problem of youth unemployment, rising criminality, and the poor regulation of scrap metal collection in many parts of Nigeria.
Authorities in Edo State are yet to release an official statement on the matter, but residents are calling on the police to carry out a thorough investigation and address the wider implications of the incident.
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