2 motorcycle thieves burnt to death in Benue

Two suspected motorcycle thieves were on Sunday burnt to death through mob action in separate incidents in Makurdi metropolis of Benue State.

Daily Trust reports that one of the suspect was set ablaze by mob in front of LGEA primary school in Wurukum while the other suspect was said to have met his own death at Gyado Villa when he attempted to dispossess a commercial rider of his bike.

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A witness told our correspondent at the scene of the Wurukum incident that the deceased suspect was killed and burnt with tyres after he made unsuccessful effort to snatched a motorcycle from its owner.

The witness, a food vendor, whose makeshift shop was situated closely to the scene of the incident, further narrated, that it was about 5:20am when a certain commercial motorcyclist and his two passengers alighted at the gate of the primary school.

“An argument ensued between them after the motorcyclist insisted that he was yet to reach where the duo told him was their destination. The two passengers had earlier forced him to stop them at the primary school on gunpoint just as they demanded for the key to the bike.

“But, the motorcycle rider refused to hand them the key so they shot at him and the bullet didn’t penetrate. The motorcycle rider on his part picked a stone from the rubbles around there and hit it on one of them while he also raised an alarm which attracted people to the scene. One of the suspect escaped while the other was unlucky as the people who got to the scene to help the cyclist rider set him ablaze,”

Our correspondent reports that at the time of filing this report, a crowd of people were still seen at the scene trying to catch a glimpse of the deceased’s remains already burnt beyond recognition.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue Command (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, could however confirmed one of the two incidents.

Anene said, “at Wurukum area, Information was received that a young man attempted to snatch motorcycle from a cyclist and was arrested by a mob.

“The police on reaching the scene, discovered that the suspect had been set ablaze. The command condemn such lawlessness and warns that members of the public should seek justice through the appropriate channels.”