Police in Niger State has confirmed that angry mob lynched a man suspected to be a terrorist to death in Tafa local government area of the state after he was found in possession of three AK-47 rifles and 104 ammunition, having been involved in an accident.
The man was reportedly riding a motorcycle with another man, apparently his accomplice, at the time of the accident, which occurred around the Boyi Sarki Toll Gate area of Tafa.
In a statement by the spokesman of the police, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, the second man on the motorcycle died on the spot and while the police were trying to rescue the second person from the scene to the hospital, he was lynched by the mob to death.
According to him, the crowd at the scene became violent, seized the victim from the police and lynched him.
While condemning the mob action, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, said that the suspect would have helped the Police to ascertain the source of the rifle and unravel their aim and warned that people should stop resorting to a self-help approach.
The Police Commissioner has directed Area Commander Suleja to commence a thorough investigation and ensure the arrest of the perpetrators while the rifles are under ballistic analysis for further investigation.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
