Niger: Mob lynches two suspected criminals caught with firearms
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected criminals, including a woman in possession of firearms, in Ibeto, Magama Local Government Area of the state by angry residents.
The incident occurred last Monday in the area around 3:30 p.m. at the motor park at Ibeto.
It was gathered that upon arrival at the garage, residents observed their suspicious moves and decided to run a check on them before they discovered the firearms.
News Men learnt that the failure of the suspects to give reasons for having the firearms angered the people, who are faced with various security challenges of banditry, and kidnapping attacks, among others, carried by criminal elements in the area, and without reporting to relevant authorities decided to take law into their hands
The angry mob allegedly lynched the two suspects before security agencies in the area could arrive at the scene.
Confirming the incident in Minna, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the two deceased suspects, Fatima Mohammed of Jamata area of Lokoja, Kogi State, and one other unknown person, were sighted at a motor park in Ibeto, and one AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines were found in their possession.
Abiodun stated that upon sighting the firearms in their possession, an aggrieved mob lynched both to death.
“On 01 October 2023 at about 3:30 p.m., information was received that one Fatima Mohammed and an unknown person were sighted with firearms and Police operatives attached to Ibeto police outstation mobilized with local vigilante to the scene. Unfortunately, before the arrival of the police team, some aggrieved mob lynched the suspects,” he said.
He added that their corpses were deposited at the Ibeto General Hospital in the area while an investigation on the matter is ongoing.
