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A man accused of stealing a motorcycle was set ablaze by an angry mob in the early hours of Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Abagu, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. The gruesome incident, captured in viral photos and videos, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debates over jungle justice in the region.
According to eyewitness accounts shared online by Morris Bogbenda, the suspect was caught red-handed attempting to steal a bike in the quiet neighborhood. Rather than handing him over to law enforcement, residents reportedly descended on the man, doused him with fuel, and set him on fire. Images show thick black smoke billowing as the victim burned while a crowd, including children, watched in horror.
The motorcycle, believed to belong to a local rider, was also torched in the frenzy. One photo shows two bikes engulfed in flames as onlookers stood by, some appearing to record the incident on their phones.
The post, which has garnered over 2,800 reactions and 1,500 comments within hours, has drawn sharp condemnation from citizens who decried the barbarity of mob action. “This is not justice; this is murder,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed to the growing trend of instant retribution in Benue communities, especially amid rising thefts and economic hardship.
Local police authorities are yet to release an official statement, but sources say efforts are underway to identify the victim and bring those responsible for the lynching to justice. Community leaders in Gboko have also called for calm, urging residents to allow law enforcement to handle criminal matters.
This incident comes just days after the Tiv Supreme Council, during its meeting in Gboko, warned traditional rulers to monitor their subjects and report crimes to appropriate authorities, explicitly cautioning against aiding or tolerating unlawful acts. The council’s directive now casts a spotlight on the failure of community vigilance to prevent such brutal extrajudicial killings.
As investigations begin, the Abagu lynching serves as a grim reminder of the thin line between public anger and lawlessness, with many calling for stronger security presence and civic education to curb the culture of mob justice in Benue State.
