Police begin probe as mob kills suspected motorcycle thief
A yet-to-be-identified man who was suspected to have stolen a motorcycle was set ablaze by an irate mob along Akpehe Road in the Makurdi area of Benue State, on Sunday.
A Facebook user, Comr Joseph, who shared footage of the incident in a post on Sunday, disclosed that the victim died on the spot.
Video footage of the incident, sighted by our correspondent, showed a man who was set ablaze, surrounded by stick-wielding men.
He added that local youths had apprehended the victim and, in what appeared to be an act of jungle justice, he was burnt alive before the intervention of the authorities.
Joseph wrote, “Earlier today, April 13, 2025, a tragic and disturbing incident occurred along Akpehe Road in Makurdi, Benue State. A young man, alleged to have stolen a motorcycle, was apprehended by local youths.
“In a swift and brutal act of jungle justice, he was set ablaze and burnt alive before authorities could intervene.
“Sadly, the young man died on the spot, and his identity remains unknown at the time of this report.”
When contacted for a reaction on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Anene Suswe, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
She added that an investigation had commenced into the matter.
She said, “Yes, the incident happened. An investigation has commenced into the matter.”
PUNCH Metro reported on March 29 that about 16 Northern travellers, suspected to be kidnappers, were lynched and set ablaze by an irate mob in Edo State.
It was gathered that the victims, who claimed to be hunters, were travelling in a Dangote Cement truck when they were accosted around 1.30 p.m. in the Udune Efandion community by local security.
Upon searching the vehicle, Dane guns were reportedly discovered, which triggered the mob attack.
