FCT: 3 killed over alleged phone theft at Mpape

Three people believed to be scavengers, popularly known as baban bola, have been reportedly killed following a phone theft incident in Mpape community of the FCT. The incident, Abuja Metro learnt, reportedly happened on Saturday and is creating tension in the highly populated community close to Maitama District of Abuja. Residents said the incident happened […]

Three people believed to be scavengers, popularly known as baban bola, have been reportedly killed following a phone theft incident in Mpape community of the FCT.

The incident, Abuja Metro learnt, reportedly happened on Saturday and is creating tension in the highly populated community close to Maitama District of Abuja.

Residents said the incident happened around Sarkin Noma Plaza, Berger Quarry area in the central part of the community.

There was still palpable tension in the neighbourhood where the incident happened when Abuja Metro visited Sunday afternoon.

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Many people, including traditional title holders, refused to comment on the incident, citing the dangerous nature of the scavengers in the area.

However, a resident, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being attacked, said the incident happened after some people allegedly attacked a man and snatched his phone.

He said the attackers, suspected to be baban bola, after collecting the man’s phone, inflicted injuries on his hand.

A member of the vigilante group in the area, who also pleaded anonymity, said apart from attacking the man, the touts went ahead to burgle a house in the area and stole some valuables.

He said, “Thereafter, some people mobilised and attacked anyone that looked like baban bola. In the process, two people were killed around the Sarkin Noma Plaza. Another person was also said to be killed behind the Quarry area of the town.”

He said the situation was later brought under control by the police, adding that people of the area have since been living under palpable fear.

Head of operations, Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Mpape unit, Julius David, while speaking to Abuja Metro on the incident, said the remains of the victims were later evacuated by the police from Mpape division the following morning to an undisclosed hospital.

He said two of the dead bodies were taken from near Sarkin Noma plaza, while the third one was picked at the police junction, all located around the Berger quarry area within the community.

“After the incident, they ran in different directions, but the residents trailed and attacked them before the arrival of members of the security agencies,” David added.

He said before the Saturday incident, a shop was burgled during the week around Kerosene Junction in the Ajegunle area of the community, where many items were stolen.

He also said a different gang blocked a road around the Mashafa Road and robbed passers-by of their valuables.

A resident, Danjuma Ahmad, said there had been tension in the community over the activities of phone snatchers in the area.

Police at Mpape division confirmed the killing but referred Abuja Metro to the Command’s headquarters.

A WhatsApp message sent to the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, a superintendent, was not replied to at the time of filing this report.