There was a case of conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide on the 18th of August 2024 at about 2200hrs; when the police in Misau Bauchi state, said it received information from a good samaritan.
He reported seeing a body lying in a pool of blood in Anguwan Agwaluma, on the outskirts of Misau town.
Upon receiving this information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Misau Police Division led a team of detectives to the scene, where they found that the victim’s throat had been slit and cut with a knife.
The detectives transported the body to the General Hospital in Misau, where a medical doctor confirmed the victim’s death.
The deceased was later identified as 25-year-old Muhammad Jibir from Sabon Layi in Misau town, a commercial motorcycle operator commonly known as Achaba.
His motorcycle, a Boxer, was stolen by suspected armed robbers. The remains of the victim were released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites, as stated by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili.
On August 19, 2024, two suspects were apprehended by the police with the stolen motorcycle along the Misau–Kari road. They were subsequently lynched by an angry mob, which burned one of the bodies beyond recognition; however, the motorcycle was recovered.
Police Commissioner Auwal Mohammed condemned the actions of the mob, criticizing the youths for taking the law into their own hands instead of allowing the suspects to be taken into police custody for proper investigation.
The mob reportedly overpowered the police officers and killed the suspects.
“This was barbaric and inimical to the laws governing our dear country,” the statement added.
Wakili cautioned the state’s residents that the police command under his leadership will not tolerate individuals who take the law into their own hands by unlawfully and brutally killing suspects who have been properly and promptly apprehended for alleged crimes.
He emphasized that no one has the right to treat suspects in such a barbaric manner and warned against assuming the role of law enforcement agencies.
“The suspects apprehended in connection with the crime should be allowed to be duly investigated by the Police or any other security agencies saddled with the responsibility to investigate and prosecute such suspects,” he added.