Twenty-one year-old Emmanuel of 'Ebenezer,' Kotobabi Down near the editorial offices of the Chronicle, was saved from death yesterday at noon when angry residents pounced on him and subjected him to severe beating for stealing a biscuit costing ?500.

A resident who lives in the premises where the theft took place said last Monday, ?30,000 mysteriously got lost from their kiosk.

Another resident, a poor old lady surviving on the sweat of her benevolent children who have set up a modest store for her in the vicinity where the incident took place, also complained about the loss of a jar containing toffee worth some ?10,000.

Emmanuel suffered a broken head and bleeding mouth and had to stagger like a drunk to his house nearby. The Chronicle established that he was saved because he was one of us (omanfo).

Even as he staggered away from trouble, missiles were hurled at him from behind, narrowly missing his head.

Emmanuel was too stunned to talk when Chronicle asked him to confirm or deny the act. He would also not say whether he would report any case of assault to the police.

None of the residents and passers-by who took part in the beating were also ready to make a formal report to the police for Emmanuel to be arrested and charged for the offence