A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ben Agir, has been beaten to death by members of a local vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
Agir, who was serving in Gombe State, was said to have been on a short visit to his home state and had only a few weeks left before his final clearance.
Sources in the area said the incident occurred late on Sunday night when vigilante members allegedly apprehended him on suspicion of being a motorcycle thief.
According to a local source, the corps member was not given the opportunity to properly identify himself before he was attacked.
“The vigilante group arrested him late Sunday night and accused him of being a motorcycle snatcher. They beat him and did not give him any opportunity to explain himself.
“They continued beating him until he lost consciousness. It was only after that they rushed him to a hospital where he was confirmed dead,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Buruku Local Government Council, Raymond Aondoakura, described the killing as unfortunate and avoidable.
ALSO READ:VIDEO: Resigned power minister, Adelabu, spotted controlling traffic in Ibadan
He said the attack took place between 11 pm and midnight at Mbajor settlement near the local government secretariat.
“From what I gathered, they apprehended him on suspicion of being a bike snatcher. Before he could properly identify himself and present his ID card, one of the vigilante leaders began beating him, insisting he was lying. Others joined, and he was beaten into a coma.
“When they realised the severity of his condition, they took him to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead,” he said.
Aondoakura disclosed that all those involved in the incident had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.
“We have arrested all those involved and handed them over to the police for arraignment. We also confirmed that the deceased was indeed a serving corps member,” he added.
The council chairman further announced the immediate suspension of vigilante activities in the area.
“We have stopped the operations of vigilante groups in Buruku and disbanded them. Proper measures will be put in place to regulate their activities before they can resume,” he said.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the activities of vigilante groups and cases of mob justice in parts of the country, particularly involving mistaken identity.