By SARAH BULUS
THE Nyakala community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was thrown into mourning after a police inspector was lynched by an angry mob following a false alarm raised by a suspect.
The officer, Inspector Lasare Jeremiah of the State Criminal Investigation Department, was dispatched with his team to arrest a notorious suspect, Audu Abdullahi, long accused of terrorising the community.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alabo Alfred, Abdullahi, sensing arrest, falsely shouted that the officers were motorcycle thieves.
His outcry triggered chaos as a mob attacked the officers with sticks, stones and dangerous weapons.
Inspector Jeremiah and a colleague sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Cottage Hospital, Kisalloi, where Jeremiah laterdied.
In a twist, the mob also turned on Abdullahi, leaving him critically injured before he was taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he later died.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, described the incident as a needless and avoidable tragedy.
He warned that mob justice obstructs the rule of law and leads to devastating consequences.
“This unfortunate incident should serve as a reminder that taking laws into one’s hands endangers innocent lives and undermines justice,”he said.
The Commissioner vowed that jungle justice will not be tolerated and urged citizens to trust security agencies to handle crime.
Meanwhile, the State Criminal Investigation Department has launched a full investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the mob attack.
Inspector Jeremiah’s death has left colleagues and residents in grief, with many describing him as a dedicated officer who died in active service.