Two suspected phone thieves met a grim fate on Friday morning when they were set ablaze by an irate mob in Kabong community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspects, believed to be members of a criminal gang, had been attacking passersby with weapons, stealing phones, money, and other valuables.
Their actions sparked outrage among residents, who chased them down after another robbery attempt.
While some members of the gang managed to flee, the mob apprehended two individuals and set them on fire.
A community resident, Mathew Ignatius, described the incident, stating: “This morning, they attacked people again, and the mob pursued them. They caught two suspects and burnt them immediately. These attacks have been frequent, with valuables like phones, laptops, and money seized at various times of the day.”
Reacting to the incident, the Plateau State Police Command condemned both the robbery attempts and the mob’s actions.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred, the police confirmed receiving a distress call at approximately 9:20 a.m., reporting the invasion by suspected cultists and the subsequent mob action.
“Our officers responded promptly to the scene, where they found that two individuals had been set ablaze by an angry mob. Locally fabricated pistols believed to belong to the suspects were recovered. The charred bodies were evacuated and deposited at a hospital morgue,” the statement read.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, decried the rising cases of jungle justice, urging residents to hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
“While we strongly condemn the activities of armed robbers and cultists, jungle justice cannot be tolerated in a civilised society. Those engaging in such acts will be dealt with according to the law,” CP Adesina stated.
The police reassured residents of their commitment to maintaining peace and urged the public to remain calm while investigations into the incident continue.