Two suspected thieves were lynched to death by a Makurdi mob in Benue State on Friday.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in on Friday in Makurdi, saying She said “the two suspects escaped from a compound located on George Akume Way, but were apprehended by members of the public opposite the BIPC Company and lynched before the arrival of the police.
“They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Wadata, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor. Their remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary. The State CID has taken over the investigation,” she added.
According to Edet, the police traced the two suspects to the said house following a distress call over a reported stolen Bajaj motorcycle traced to compound.
Edet said 11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, criminal charms, three mattresses, one single-barrel firearm and other items were recovered from the compound located on George Akume Way, Makurdi.
She said the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned the mob action, describing it as a dangerous trend that obstructs justice, violates human rights and undermines police investigations.
She urged residents to always report suspects to the police rather than take the law into their own hands.
In another development, three suspected child traffickers have been arrested and six children rescued along the Orokam–Enugu Road in the state on Friday.
Edet said a suspicious vehicle carrying them was intercepted by operatives on patrol on Nov. 20.
She said the suspects – Mrs. Monica Okonkwo, 57; Nkiru Nwosu, 55 and Francisca Oyechele, 57; all of Umude Oka, Dunukofia, Anambra State, were arrested after a thorough search of the vehicle.
Edet said the police rescued five girls and one boy, all aged between seven and nine.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the children were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage, Jos, Plateau State, under questionable circumstances, with the suspects claiming they were being transported to Anambra State.
“The children have been rescued and are under protective care, while the suspects are in custody as investigations continue at the State CID,” she said.
