By Fatima Mukhtar
A man suspected of stealing a motorcycle met a tragic end on Sunday morning in Abagu, Gboko, Benue State, after an angry mob took the law into their own hands. Before police could arrive, the victim was reportedly set on fire by furious residents.
Eyewitnesses say the man was apprehended with the allegedly stolen motorcycle. But rather than handing him over to authorities, the crowd exacted immediate “justice.”
A local resident, speaking anonymously, described the shocking scene: “They caught him with the bike he was accused of taking. Instead of taking him to the police, the crowd attacked him. It was horrific.”
The Benue State Police Command has yet to release full details, but sources confirm that investigations have begun into the incident.
Human-rights groups and security experts warn that such acts of vigilante justice are extremely dangerous. “Taking the law into your own hands not only violates human rights, it also threatens the peace and stability of the community,” said one advocate.
This tragedy is part of a troubling pattern in Benue State. In recent months, several suspected motorcycle thieves have been lynched by mobs in Gboko and neighboring towns, some of them later found to be innocent. These incidents highlight growing insecurity and the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and public awareness.
Authorities continue to urge residents to report crimes to the police rather than resorting to violence, stressing that the rule of law is the only path to justice and community safety.
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