Two alleged phone thieves were set on fire by an enraged mob on Friday in Plateau State.
The incident took place in the Kabong community of Jos North Local Government Area during the early hours of the morning.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspects were assaulting passersby and road users with weapons, stealing their phones and other valuables.
Infuriated by the attacks, a group of bystanders ventured to pursue the suspects. While some managed to escape, two individuals were apprehended and ignited by the mob.
A local resident, Mathew Ignatius, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH, stating, “This all unfolded on Friday morning. Some individuals believed to be cultists were assaulting people and taking their phones and money.
“This wasn’t the first time they had terrorized the community, especially in the early mornings, noon, and late evenings, seizing valuables like phones, laptops, and cash.
Earlier today, when they struck again, a mob quickly formed and chased them down. They caught two suspects and burned them immediately, while others managed to flee.”
In response to the incident, the Plateau State Police Command released a statement through their spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred.
The statement read, “This morning, November 29, 2024, we received a troubling report regarding mob activity in Jenta Adamu, Jos North Local Government Area.
The report came in through a distress call from a concerned citizen, indicating that around 9:20 a.m., a group of unidentified cult members invaded the community, attempting to rob law-abiding residents of their belongings.
In response, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police promptly ordered the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, Jos, to deploy officers and detectives to the scene and initiate an investigation.”
The police added, “Upon arrival, our team discovered that an outraged mob had pursued the invaders, attacked them, and set two individuals ablaze.
The police, alongside the leadership of Jos North Local Government Area, retrieved the charred bodies and transported them to a hospital morgue. Two locally made pistols, believed to belong to the suspects, were recovered from the scene.
While the police strongly condemn the actions of armed robbers and cultists, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, also denounces acts of jungle justice. In a civilized society, citizens are urged to hand suspects over to the appropriate security agencies to ensure justice is served in line with the Plateau State Penal Code.
The Commissioner warns that any individual or group engaged in jungle justice will face legal consequences.
We urge the public to remain calm, as the command has implemented effective measures to safeguard all residents of the state.
