Mob Lynches Two Men At IDP Camp, Abuja Over Motorcycle Theft

Some internally displaced persons (IDPs) camped in New Kuchingoro, an Abuja suburb, on Wedneday lynched two yet-to-be identified persons over alleged theft of a motorcycle.

THISDAY gathered that the duo were within the premises of the camp when they were accosted by some youths who demanded their mission.

According to an eyewitness account, “When they could not reasonably explain what their business was in the camp, the youths allegedly accused them of being motorcycle thieves.
“The IDPs said they had reason to suspect the duo because they have had incessant cases of armed robberies in the camp, alleging that the police had always turned a blind eye to their complaints.”

The IDPs allegedly descended on them, beating them with wooden planks, bottles, axes, and pelted them with stones.

The eyewitness further revealed: “After beating them to a pulp, one of the youths brought two tyres and hung it round the necks of the two suspects and proceeded to pour fuel on them. They succeeded in burning the first person to death and fled into the bush when the police arrived at the scene.”

He said attempts to revive the second victim proved abortive, adding that he reportedly bled to death before reaching the hospital.

A security official, who spoke to THISDAY on the phone on the condition of anonymity, said the two men were burnt to death before policemen from the Games Village, who responded to a distress call could arrive the scene.

He said: “I went to the IDP camp to visit a friend when we saw a crowd interrogating two people. The IDPs accused them of being thieves and despite their repeated denials they started beating them up.

“I rushed to the Games Village to call in the police, but by the time we got back, they had killed the first person. The second person died afterwards from the injuries he sustained.”