Mob Sets 2 Suspected Motorcycle Thieves Ablaze In Plateau

Two men suspected of motorcycle theft have been killed in a mob attack in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, following rising tension in the community after the killing of a local leader.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the death of a former councillor and traditional title holder, Hon. Godwin Vonga, who was attacked and killed along the Timshat–Mabudi road on Sunday night. He was said to have been returning home after dropping his children at school in Mabudi.

A resident, Mr. Banda Nanlir, said the two suspects were apprehended by angry youths who accused them of being involved in a series of motorcycle thefts in the area.

According to him, the suspects were allegedly linked to previous theft cases and were said to have made some form of admission during questioning by residents. The situation, however, quickly escalated as a mob overpowered them and set them ablaze before security operatives could intervene.

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as chaotic, adding that it has heightened fear and tension in the community. Some locals maintained that the suspects had long been under suspicion for motorcycle-related crimes.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident and the command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached on his mobile phone.