By Citizenship Daily
A suspected armed robber, on Wednesday afternoon, was beaten to death by angry mob for being caught allegedly stealing from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG in Makurdi, Benue State.
The incident. occured behind Modern market in Makurdi at about 3:30 pm.
Source said the armed robber was said to had successfully gained entrance into the church building, broke into one of the offices, stole some items and other valuables.
The suspected robber was attempting to escape when some youths from the area swooped on him and beat to death.
A source who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that it is a case of three armed gang who have been terrorising residents and churches around the area.
He said that sometime, three-man gang usually blocked the road on early hours of the days to attack innocent people and dispossessed them of their personal effects.
A victim (names withheld) recounted her experience, “I was coming back from work, and one other girl who was going to church just came out of their house gate, and the three men approached me and started asking what I had in my bag.
“The girl who was going to church saw them and flung her bag into the bush. They searched my bag and saw the phone and money and they took the bag.
“Then the other girl started running back into her house. After collecting my bag, I was told to run without looking back.
“While I ran towards the bush, one of the robbers pursued me, the other two chased after the other girl”,she said.
The corpse of the shot suspected robber was lying in a pool of his own blood while passers-by by who were on their way to midweek service and market were seen running away from the scene.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP confirmed the incident.
SP Anene who spoke through his second in Command (2iC) Harry Ekwo, stated that police couldn’t ascertain whether the deceased was actually a robber, hence nobody has come to make formal report of any church theft.
She said the police have already evacuated the dead body and deposited at a mortuary in Makurdi.
