Mob burns man accused of raping, killing brother’s wife in Benue

A 22-year-old man has been burnt to death for allegedly raping and killing his brother’s wife in Achoho community of Gwer East LGA of Benue State.

The young man, simply identified as Botswar, allegedly committed the murder of his brother’s wife on Friday but angry mob seized him on Monday and set him ablaze.

Witnesses alleged that the deceased Botswar had gone to the farm on Friday with his brother’s wife and that both of them did not return home afterwards until a search party discovered the woman’s lifeless body with signs of being forcefully raped and matchet cuts on her head and nose.

The witnesses said that Botswar was later traced to Tse-Agberagba, the headquarters of Konshisha LGA, where his mother settled in a second marriage but he was not found. 

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But luck was said to have ran out on him when an angry mob that went on his search caught up with him at Agidi village on their way back from his mother’s home and then descended on him in the manner of jungle justice.

They alleged that the late man had confessed to committing the rape and murder of his brother’s wife before he was set ablaze by the mob, adding that both deceased belonged to the Ayisa family.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls and message put through her telephone to confirm the incident.

Anene, had however, in the past, warned against such jungle justice, saying anyone caught in the act would be made to face the law.