Togo: Man killed for trying to steal a helmet

A man was violently beaten and killed by a group of people on suspicion of trying to steal a motorcycle helmet from a garage in Lomé, Togo.

Police subsequently arrested five individuals for their involvement in the attack.

The assailants tied the victim to a truck, inflicted abuse and then sprayed him with fuel. A witness, who filmed the scene without intervening, unwittingly facilitated the investigation.

Thanks to this video, the police were able to reconstruct the facts and make the arrests.

The suspects will be presented to the public prosecutor to answer for their actions, while other people involved, currently on the run, are being actively sought.

The Togolese police force reminds the population that private justice is illegal, and urges citizens to cooperate with the authorities to guarantee security and respect for the law.