Three individuals suspected of involvement in the killing of a traditional ruler in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State were on Friday night killed by an angry mob after allegedly confessing to the crime.
The suspects were accused of participating in the murder of the monarch of Kwallak community, Ponzhi Kwallak, who was reportedly attacked and killed in his residence on Thursday night. During the incident, the assailants were said to have stolen his motorcycle, mobile phone, and other valuables.
The killing of the traditional ruler reportedly plunged the community into mourning and heightened tension, prompting residents to begin a search for those responsible.
According to accounts from residents, the suspects were later apprehended while attempting to sell the stolen motorcycle. During interrogation, they were said to have confessed, a development that triggered the mob action.
A witness said some members of the community initially tried to hand the suspects over to security operatives. However, the situation escalated when a group of hoodlums reportedly overpowered them, seized the suspects, and set them ablaze near the council secretariat.
“Members of the community caught the suspects where they wanted to sell the motorcycle and they confessed to the crime, before the angry mob descended on them and burnt them,” a resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.
As of the time of reporting, efforts to obtain an official response from the police were unsuccessful, as calls to the state police spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, were not answered.
