Men of a vigilante group in Ilesa, Osun State have been knocked for allegedly shooting a suspect who had already made himself available for arrest.

Members of the local vigilante had reportedly shot a 50-year-old man simply identified as Musibau recently in Arimoro, a neighborhood in Ilesa, for alleged theft.

Sources disclosed that Musibau is a father of two children and he is with disabilities. The destitute is said to always clear bushes and gather snails, which he sells to make money for his family.

It was gathered that Musibau was shot in the leg by the local vigilantes in the Arimoro area, where he was searching for snails.

According to sources, the local vigilantes apprehended Musibau when he was searching for snails, claiming that he was a thief and his colleagues had run away from the scene.

Contrary to the vigilantes’ claim, a source who witnessed the incident said, “He (Musibau) did not run away. He was asked to kneel down, and he obeyed them. I still do not know why they shot him in the leg despite obeying their directive.”

According to the source, Musibau was taken to Ayeso Police Station after he was shot in the leg, but the police directed that he first be taken to the hospital for treatment.

“Musibau is currently at Oasis, a private hospital in Ilesa, receiving treatment for gunshot wounds,” the source added.

While condemning the vigilantes’ action, Adedayo Isaac, a legal practitioner, argued that it is criminal and totally wrong for vigilantes to shoot suspects, particularly those who are not running away from apprehension after committing a crime.

According to Isaac, local vigilantes are only empowered to effect the arrest of suspects or offenders and take them to the nearest police station for investigation and prosecution.

“Shooting an offender or suspect is an abuse of his or her rights to a fair hearing. Every case or situation, no matter how terrible it might be, deserves to be interrogated or investigated.

“It is sad that the said victim, who was shot in the leg, has been portrayed by residents of the community as someone who is always searching for snails to be sold for survival. If he had not been shot and the local vigilantes had taken him to the police station, an investigation would have revealed that,” Isaac stated.

The legal practitioner urged the police to invite all parties, including the local vigilantes, investigate the matter, and prosecute offenders to serve as deterrents to others.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Division ‘A’ Ayeso Police Command, SP Titilope, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had commenced.