11 hours ago
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A commercial motorcyclist was reportedly lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob in Gboko town, located in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, after being mistakenly accused of stealing a Bajaj motorcycle.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragic event took place over the weekend near the War U Sarwuan area, close to Tofi Grammar School.
The victim, an Okada rider, was said to have been wrongly identified as a thief by residents who were chasing an actual motorcycle robber.
Witnesses explained that the motorcyclist lost control of his bike while making a sharp turn in an attempt to avoid the mob.
His passenger reportedly jumped off and escaped, leaving him behind with the motorcycle.
Despite his repeated pleas of innocence and attempts to show his identification, the crowd descended on him.
A witness claimed that one person hit the man with a stone before the mob set him on fire.
Moments after the gruesome act, the true owner of the motorcycle appeared at the scene and clarified that the slain rider was innocent, noting that the bike had been bought only two weeks earlier.
He described the victim as a devoted husband and father of three.
A local resident told our correspondent by phone that police officers later removed the body around 10 p.m.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she would verify the report and provide feedback.
However, as of the time this report was filed, Edet has not responded.
Mob lynches okada rider mistaken for motorcycle thief in Benue
