. Victim recently returned to Nigeria for ceremony
A man simply identified as Basit has been beaten to death by a mob in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State over an alleged hit-and-run incident.
Basit, who had reportedly returned to Nigeria recently from abroad ahead of his wedding, was said to have been attacked by residents after allegedly hitting and injuring a man in the Patey area of the community.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night.
Basit was reportedly driving through the area when he allegedly hit a male resident who was attempting to cross the road.
Rather than stop after the incident, Basit was said to have driven away, prompting residents to pursue him. When they eventually caught up with him, a mob reportedly attacked him.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said Basit was approaching the other end of Freeman Street when the incident occurred.
He said, “He was coming from the other end of Freeman Street, and the incident happened when he was getting close to the other end.
“A resident was trying to cross the road when he rammed into him. The moment it happened, people thought he would wait, but he did not. He was later chased and caught before the mob descended on him.”
Another resident, Afolabi Lawal, alleged that the mob assaulted Basit with dangerous objects, resulting in his becoming unconscious and later died.
“He was hit on the head with sticks and bottles, which caused him to sustain a head injury. He went unconscious and later died,” Lawal said.
The mob immediately fled the area after realising that Basit was no longer alive.
At the time of the incident and subsequent death, Basit was said to be about two weeks away from his wedding.
A police source confirmed that arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
The remains of the deceased have also been deposited in a morgue.
