by Oge Okonkwo

“I am not a thief, I only steal rams,” were the words of 27-year-old Nuru Owosere who was arrested by policemen for allegedly stealing a ram at the Mile 12 area of Lagos state.

His words made many people confused after he was caught on Thursday – like, was he serious?

The Punch reports, the suspect specialized in stealing livestock and selling them at outrageous prices.

 He, however, met his waterloo on Thursday as he was arrested after stealing a ram owned by a bricklayer at the Church Avenue Area. While attempting to escape, residents saw him, chased him, rounded him up and beat him up.

According to reports, the Divisonal Police Officer of Ketu Division received the news of the incident around 4.30am and mobilised his men to the area where the suspect was eventually arrested.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide confirmed that the suspect would soon be charged to court for stealing.

According to the suspect, Nuru Owosere, he never saw anything wrong in what he did because he had stolen his own father’s livestock many times without being reprimanded.

“My father used to rear livestock and anytime I wanted, I would go and steal any and sell. Most times I sell the young ones for N3,000. However, when the area began experiencing series of flood, most of the rams and goats fled. I moved to Ijebu, Ogun State where I became an apprentice at a wood-producing factory but when my family abandoned me, leaving me without money, I returned to Lagos and started snatching people’s rams.”

To the astonishment of many, he declared “I don’t feel taking rams is a crime, they are just animals. The person, whose ram I took, I even know him. I never thought he would join the crowd in beating me. Afterall, I am not a thief, I only take people’s rams.”

Maybe they won’t take him to jail. Only prison.