Police to charge pant thieves with attempted murder

According to a police spokesperson, underpants thieves might be charged with attempted murder and not stealing.

In recent months, there has been a spate of theft of underpants rumoured to be used ritual purposes that have led to the death of the owners of the undergarments.

A man was caught on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State, with a bag containing women’s underwear and sanitary pads. The man was almost lynched by a mob after he was caught with the nylon bag containing the items.

Dolapo Badmos, the police spokesperson for Zone 2 command, confirmed in her Instagram post that the thieves caught stealing confess to using the panties for rituals which lead to the premature death of the owner.

According to reports, ritualists often send out errand boys and girls, who help get the panties. Female agents are also used to collect male underwears from men after sex.

“What is the in thing about increase in stealing of underpants?! Learnt the ones caught in the act always confess to be using it for rituals whereof the owner dies prematurely…. Henceforth anyone caught stealing pants might not be charged for stealing but attempted murder. This has to stop,” Badmos posted on Instagram.

However, there is no provision in the Nigerian constitution that will back such a charge in court.