A teenager in Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, LGA of Bayelsa state has been accused of allegedly stealing the manhood of no fewer than 36 men.

The 14-year-old boy, Iduma Obodo, who escaped being lynched by irate mob on Saturday following the allegation, suffered serious machete wounds during the attack, Leadership reports.

Some indigenes of the community claimed the boy confessed to the crime and took responsibility for the disappearances.

An indigene of the community identified only as Thelma, was quoted to have said, that “After some beating, he explained that the genitals were no longer in his possession; as he alleged that they were with one old man whom he claimed sent him after swinging a white handkerchief to make the deed possible.”

One of the men, Ebekemie Samson, whose manhood allegedly disappeared, also claimed that it had taken the intervention of a man of God, through prayers and deliverance, before his manhood was restored.

The matter was said to have been reported to the state police command.

The state Police spokesperson, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the report, saying the mysterious act left people in the community in shock.

Butswat added that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the teenager’s accomplice.