Mob sets suspected motorcycle thief ablaze in Benue
A suspected motorcycle thief was lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob in the Abagu area of Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State.
The incident occurred on Sunday, November 9, 2025, after the suspect was allegedly caught trying to steal a parked motorcycle.
Despite appeals from some residents for restraint, the mob reportedly beat the suspect before setting him on fire.
The incident came barely two days after commercial motorcycle riders took to the streets of Gboko in protest against what they described as persistent k!lling and robbery of their colleagues by suspected criminals.
The protest, which began early in the morning, brought social and commercial activities in the ancient town to a halt as the riders barricaded major roads, blocking vehicular movement and disrupting daily business operations.
Armed with placards and chanting solidarity songs, the riders set up a bonfire and demanded immediate government action to end what they described as “targeted k!llings” of their members.
One of the protesters, who identified himself simply as Terna, said the attacks on their colleagues had become rampant, with several riders recently killed or maimed by criminals who pose as passengers before dispossessing them of their mo
Just last Thursday, three of our members were k!lled in Gboko and their bikes were stolen,” he said.
