A young man, John Ator 25 was on Wednesday narrowly escaped being roasted by angry mob at Marian Market, Calabar, Cross River State capital. The suspect was alleged to have stolen two basins of garri at the Market in the early hours of Wednesday.

An eyewitness told DAILY POST that the suspect who had been into the crime was unlucky this time as he was caught in the act when the traders decided to lay ambush for him.

One of the market managers who pleaded anonymity said reports of garri theft had reached them several times, but they could not fathom who the thief was. He said ninety-nine days is for the thief, and one day is for the owner.

“That is the case with this young man, John Ator, who is now caught as a garri thief who has been a thorn in the flesh of garri women traders at Marian Market, Calabar as he was caught stealing two basins of garri at the said market early hours of Wednesday,” he stated.

Explaining further, he said, “this act of stealing garri which has become a regular occurrence at the Marian market without knowing those behind the crime got to its peak when traders decided to lay ambush for the thief. Fortunately for the traders and unfortunately for the thief, luck ran out of him (Ator) and he was caught in the early hours.