From: Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Four men suspected to be kidnappers were lynched, on Tuesday, by irate youths in Tella, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The suspects were said to have been at the verge of kidnapping a highly-placed member of the community when they ran out of luck and the people caught up with them, beating four of them to death immediately before the police arrived.
Spokesperson of the Taraba State police command, ASP David Misal, who confirmed this to Daily Sun, said that investigation was ongoing to ascertain the identity of the victims and to get those behind the act.
Misal said that it was criminal for people to take laws into their own hands and execute others because they are suspected to have committed or planned to commit crime, saying the best thing would have been for the alleged kidnappers to be arrested and handed over to the police to do their work.
He said that one person has been arrested and is helping with the investigation.
“I can confirm to you that at least four persons were lynched yesterday by an irate youth for allegedly trying to kidnap a member of their community. As we speak, one person has been arrested and is helping with the investigation to ascertain what really went on.
“Let me also warn that it is wrong for people to take the law into their own hands and kill people out of suspension or even if they are caught committing a crime. That is for the law enforcement agencies to do. We would get to the bottom of this and give further details as soon as possible”, Misal said.
Incidents of kidnapping have been on the rise in recent times in Taraba, where most people had hitherto, not even known the word.