Serving NYSC member killed by vigilantes in Benue after being mistaken for bike thief

By Tosin Asemota

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ben Agir, has been reportedly beaten to death by a local vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Agir, who was serving in Gombe State and was just weeks away from completing his national service, had returned to his hometown on a brief holiday when the incident occurred.

A local source said the corps member was apprehended late Sunday night by vigilante operatives who allegedly mistook him for a motorcycle snatcher.

“They picked him up late Sunday night and accused him of stealing a motorcycle,” the source said. “He tried to explain, but they didn’t listen. They beat him mercilessly and didn’t give him the chance to defend himself.

By the time they realized what had happened, he had already lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Aondoakura, strongly condemned the killing and described it as a tragic case of mob injustice.

“I was informed of the incident around 4 a.m. on Monday,” Aondoakura said. “It happened between 11 p.m. and midnight on Sunday at Mbajor settlement, close to the Local Government Secretariat. From the information available, the vigilantes claimed they suspected him to be a motorcycle thief.

“Before he could properly identify himself and present his NYSC ID card, one of the leaders began assaulting him, insisting he was lying. Others joined, and he was beaten until he went into a coma. They later took him to the hospital, but he did not survive.”

The council chairman stated that those involved had been apprehended and handed over to the police.

“All those responsible have been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution. We have also verified that the victim was indeed a serving corps member,” he said.

He further announced that vigilante operations in the area had been suspended indefinitely.

“We have disbanded the vigilante groups in Buruku for now. They will remain suspended until proper regulations and oversight mechanisms are introduced to prevent a recurrence,” he added.

Efforts to get a response from the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.