Jungle Justice: A Man Set Ablaze In Benue State (Graphic Photos)

Three suspects on Sunday, attempted to steal the
recently completed water pump at the Primary
Health Care Centre, Gbatse, in Ushongo Local
Government Area of Benue State. One was caught
and set ablaze by an angry mob while his
accomplices managed to escape. According to
Mr. Adanyi Gbatse, a youth leader, the suspects
gained entrance into the fenced area where the
pump had been installed by cutting through the
barbed wire.
At midnight, vigilant neighbours heard a noise
within the premises of the motorized borehole and
on getting closer, they saw that the men were in
the process of removing the water pump from its
position and raised alarm which attracted the
attention of more neighbors.
The youth leader said one of the suspects was
apprehended when he tried to start the
motorcycle they had brought to use to facilitate
their escape but it failed to start.
The eyewitness said during interrogation the
suspect who could only speak Hausa refused to
give information about who he was and where he
came from, rather he became violent and started
a fight which resulted in him being lynched and
burnt.

District Head of Mbayegh, Chief Nathaniel Hoyo,
who confirmed the incident stated that the rural
Divisional Police Officer, Assistant Superintendent
of Police, Emmanuel Igwe, informed him about the
development. He stated that if he had received
the information earlier he could have intervened
to prevent the administering of jungle justice.
He however, commended the residents on their
vigilance, urging others to emulate them by
guarding facilities and infrastructure in their
communities.
ASP Igwe stated that the Chairman of the Civilian
Joint Task Force in the area, Mr. Terhemen
Kpelayongo reported the matter to the police,
adding that the suspect was lynched before the
police arrived at the scene.
He said the recovered items which included a
motorcycle, a hammer, two spanners and an iron
road have been sent to the Divisional
Headquarters in Lessel for onward forwarding to
the Zonal Office at Gboko for further investigation.