From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
An unidentified suspected serial motorcycle snatcher was, Tuesday morning, set ablaze by a mob along Ibrahim Kashim road in Makurdi, capital city of Benue.
An eyewitness who gave his name as Andrew Terngu narrated that two passengers had hired a motorcyclist known as ‘okada ridder’ to convey them to Railway Quarters within Makurdi.
Unknown to the motorcyclist, another gang member had stationed himself at the spot where the passengers decided to alight.
He said as soon as the two passengers alighted, the other gang member who had been waiting for his accomplices approached the motorcyclist pretending to pay for the fare but he rather brought out scissors and stabbed the ridder several times.
Tergu said that as soon as the motorcyclist fell down and starting shouting for help, the three members jumped on the motorcycle to zoom off.
“Unfortunately, as they tried to zoom off, the last person on the motorcycle fell down and people pounced on him, dragged him to the main road where they set fire on him”, Terngu said.
At the time our correspondent got to the scene, some staff of the Benue State Sanitation Agency, in the company of policemen were sighted evacuating the remains of the suspected bike snatcher.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP, Udeme Edet confirmed the incident.
The Police spokesperson said “a young man was caught in the act of stealing motorcycle and before our patrol arrived the scene of the incident, the suspect who was recently released from correctional center for the same crime, was set ablaze.
“Efforts are being made to arrest those involved as investigation is ongoing.
Police have repeatedly warned against mob action. The command will not condone this and anyone involved, will be arrested”, she said.
