Police rescue suspected motorcycle thief from mob in Benue

A young man narrowly escaped death at the weekend after he was subjected to jungle justice by a mob in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.  The suspect was alleged to have robbed a commercial motorcycle operator at gunpoint in the Owner Occupier Quarters Extension area near Angus Fraser College in Makurdi. Witnesses said the robbery […]

A young man narrowly escaped death at the weekend after he was subjected to jungle justice by a mob in Makurdi, the Benue state capital. 

The suspect was alleged to have robbed a commercial motorcycle operator at gunpoint in the Owner Occupier Quarters Extension area near Angus Fraser College in Makurdi.

Witnesses said the robbery occurred in the afternoon when the suspect, alongside two accomplices, flagged down the motorcycle rider under the guise of hiring his service, however, upon reaching a secluded area, they reportedly pulled out a gun and forced the rider to surrender his motorcycle.

The gang attempted to flee the scene with the stolen bike, but luck ran out on them when they crashed while trying to escape after the victim drew the attention of residents, who quickly raised the alarm and gave them a hot chase.

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While two of the suspects managed to escape on foot, the third was not so fortunate because he was caught by the mob, who descended on him with sticks and stones, beating him mercilessly. 

The situation escalated quickly, and it appeared the suspect would be lynched as the mob had a tyre around him in readiness to set him ablaze before a team of policemen from the nearby division arrived at the scene just in time. 

The police dispersed the mob and rescued the badly beaten suspect, who was immediately taken into custody and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Benue State, CSP Catherine Anene, was yet to respond to calls put through her telephone at the time of filing this report.