Mob sets police station ablaze, kills 3 suspects over missing farmer

There is tension in Agenebode Etsako West LGA of Edo State following the alleged killing of three suspected kidnappers by a mob over a missing young farmer in the area. The mob also set ablaze a police station and a patrol vehicle when the officers at the station refused to hand over to them the […]

There is tension in Agenebode Etsako West LGA of Edo State following the alleged killing of three suspected kidnappers by a mob over a missing young farmer in the area.

The mob also set ablaze a police station and a patrol vehicle when the officers at the station refused to hand over to them the arrested suspected kidnappers to lead them to where the missing youth was allegedly buried.

It was gathered that the development was a result of the disappearance of an Okpiko youth alleged to have been kidnapped and killed by his abductors.

The missing youth identified as Junior, a farmer, was said to have gone out with his motorcycle a day before the last Eid-el-Kabir but never

Trouble started on Sunday after one of the suspects, a security guard in the area allegedly posted a picture of the missing youth on his Facebook page, which led to his arrest.

A resident, who gave his name as Andrew, said the suspect, after his arrest, mentioned two of his accomplices, which led to the recovery of the farmer’s motorcycle in the house of one of the suspects.

“They confessed to have kidnapped, killed and buried the youth. That angered the youths who demanded the release of the suspects to lead them to his grave and recover the corpse for proper burial but the police refused.”

He explained that following the police’s refusal to hand over the suspects to them, they mobilised to the police station and set it ablaze. He said the officers escaped through the back exit door, adding that the youths got hold of the suspects who led them to where the corpse was buried.

He said, “While exhuming the corpse, they discovered other corpses whose vital organs have been removed by their abductors.

“Angered by the discovery, the youths beat the suspects to a pulp and set their corpses on fire. What infuriated the mob was that the master-minder of the kidnapping was working for Junior on his farm,” he said.

When contacted, the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Moses Yamu, said the situation had been brought under control and would make a statement soon.