From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Two suspected motorcycle snatchers have met their Waterloo in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, when they were burnt to ashes by mob action after they attempted to rob their victim around Nyon community.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident took place at about 12 to 1am on Friday, April 19, 2024.
A witness told our correspondent that the suspects were apprehended and lynched after the commercial motorcyclist popularly called okada man raised an alarm while the two were struggling to rob him.
The witness who identified himself simply as Terna narrated that according to the okada man, he picked the two passengers from Katsina Ala street in High Level area of Makurdi town.
He said “they told him to bring them to Nyon, a sub urban area of Makurdi. He said on getting to Nyon, they directed him into a street which he followed.
“But because it was too late, when he got to a point, the okada man told his passengers to pay him so he can get back but they insisted they don’t have money on them and that they will get the money from the house on getting home.
“While he made to go, they grabbed him and requested that he gives them his motorcycle key. As he refused to hand them the keys, they started struggling with him and luck ran out on them when he raised an alarm.”
Terna lamented that the incidences of motorcycle snatching has become a recurrent event especially in Makurdi metropolis.
He said community members and especially the youths have also vowed that culprits would not go free when caught in the act.
Terna said the youths who came out in their numbers gave the suspected bike robbers a good chase and caught them before they could escape.
It was said that the youths beat the suspects to a pulp before setting them ablaze.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Benue State Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed that she received a report on the incident saying some officers has been detailed to the community to find out what actually happened.
She however reiterated the call on the Benue public to desist from taking laws into their hands and advised them to report such issues and persons to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action.
As at the time of filing this report on Friday, the smoke could still be seen bellowing from the charred remains of the burnt suspects as they were burnt beyond recognition.