A man in his early twenties narrowly avoided death on Tuesday after allegedly attempting to rob a commercial motorcycle (“okada”) rider at gunpoint near Angus Fraser College, within the Owner‑Occupier Quarters Extension of Makurdi, Benue State.
Eyewitnesses report that the suspect, alongside two accomplices, forced the rider off his bike and attempted to make off with the motorcycle.
Botched Getaway and Mob Justice
In their bid to flee, the trio lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Two suspects managed to disappear into nearby shrubbery, but one was apprehended by bystanders. Enraged, the crowd descended on the young man, subjecting him to severe beatings in what is locally known as “jungle justice.” Such extrajudicial violence has been repeatedly condemned by human‑rights organizations as a gross violation of due process.
Police Intervention
Before the victim could be fatally harmed, officers from the Benue State Police Command arrived on the scene. Their timely arrival dispersed the mob and halted the beating. The suspect was then placed under arrest, and the motorcycle was recovered intact. According to the police, a thorough manhunt is now underway to locate and apprehend the two fleeing suspects .
Investigation and Next Steps
The Benue State Police have launched a formal investigation into the incident. Ballistics experts are examining the firearm reportedly used in the robbery, while detectives are gathering statements from the injured “okada” rider and other witnesses.
The arrested suspect will be charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm once the investigation concludes.
Police Appeal to the Public
In a statement, the Benue State Police Command urged citizens to resist the urge to administer vigilante justice and to report criminal activity through official channels. “Taking the law into your own hands endangers lives and undermines the justice system,” the spokesperson emphasized
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All names and details are accurate to the best of reporting. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
