Protests over jungle justice on Benue teenage suspect subside

Normalcy has returned to Otukpo town after jungle justice was meted on a teenager over the killing of a man whose bike was snatched in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.

Witnesses told our correspondent that trouble started after a commercial motorcyclist was dispossessed of his bike and killed.

It was gathered that soon after the news of the killing of the motorcyclist became public knowledge, a mob seized a teenager, Okopi Omaga, from his home, accusing him of committing the crime, and lynched him.

A witness said Omaga was initially apprehended and handed over to the police but that due to pressure mounted on them and threats of setting ablaze the station, he was released and the mob trailed and caught up with him burnt alive.

A resident, Adakole, said the killing of Omaga who allegedly belonged to a cult group infuriated not just members of his family but some people in the town who staged a protest to express their dismay.

He said, “The killing of the victim caused serious chaos in Otukpo main town as protests against the activities of jungle justice, as well as cultism, broke out.

“It’s bad enough that cult activities have cut short many lives, but involving in jungle justice is worst.”

Following the unrest, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, George Alli, declared a curfew in the town and its environs.

In a statement, Alli said, “The curfew is coming on the heels of the unrest which trailed the killing of an unidentified young man suspected to have killed and snatched the motorbike of an Okada operator in Otukpo.”

Alli sympathised with the family of the deceased and called on the security to bring the perpetrators to book, while calling on parents and guardians to closely monitor and warn their children against criminality.

Contacted, the spokesperson of the police in the state, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident via an SMS: “Incidents confirmed. Investigation is ongoing please.”