I have read with horror a trending incident on social media about how a so-called mistaken identity issue, led mobs to a horrifying Jungle Justice and killing of a youth, Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan, a graduate of the university of Jos.
Fwinbe Thomas, a young man, reportedly met his tragic fate on September 27, 2023 and it was alleged that he was perceived by the perpetrators to be a car thief, and that the attackers thought that he was driving a vehicle resembling one that had been stolen earlier leading the enraged mob to brutally attack the victim, using large rocks and sticks to fatally injure him. Sadly, the damage had been done, before his true identity came to light.
The incident is not only heartbreaking but barbaric and already, there is an outpour of calls for justice. The perpetrators should be apprehended and brought to book because there is no justification for this inhuman act.
The leading organisation of youths in Plateau State, Plateau Youth Council (PYC) were among the first groups to call for justice for the deceased in a statement signed by its Chairman Sunday Adas on 28th September.
The statement read:”The attention of the Plateau State Youth Council, has been drawn to a very worrisome and disturbing development of the incident that led to the sad and painful demise of Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan reportedly carried out by a group of mob around Domkat Bali in the city center of Jos”.
“Council is deeply pained particularly, by the way and manner the deceased was murdered. Whatever the surrounding issues are, Fwinbe does not for any reason, deserve to be killed in such a wicked manner in supposedly exposed clime where appropriate authorities are available handle such matters.”
“In its entirety, we condemn the barbaric act and call on all spirited individuals and organisations speak up in strong terms and join us as we work tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails in the end.”
“To the immediate family of the deceased and by extension, all Plateau Youth and Plateau people, we extend our sincere condolences and assure you that we will not rest on our oars in working very hard to ensure those behind the incident are brought to book within the shortest possible time. Consequently, we call on the security agencies, particularly the police and the DSS to swing into action immediately and ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the matter is thoroughly investigated and all involved in the gruesome killing of one of us are apprehended and brought to book to serve as a lesson to those who may also be planning to take certain laws into their hands.”
“Conclusively, while we understand the deep pains associated with this incident, we call on everyone to remain calm and maintain peace while we work very hard alongside the security to ensure justice prevails in the end. Once more, sincere condolences from all of us at the Plateau State Youth Council.”
Plateau Deputy Governor, Hon. Josephine Piyo has also extended a show of love by visiting the family of the deceased to condole with them over the sad incident, even as she calls on authorities to act and immediately arrest the perpetrators.
The Deputy Governor in a statement after the visit described the death of the young man as painful and regretted that life was snuffed out of him in an inhumane and ungodly manner.
“I pray God grants him eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and for security agencies to wade into action immediately and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.”
She also called on citizens of the state to be their brothers’ keeper as the state is known for peaceful coexistence and communal living by all.
During her visit, spokesperson for the family, Mr Simon Gofwan, thanked the deputy governor and government of Plateau state for identifying with them in their moment of grief.
He called on the government to ensure that the killers of their son are arrested and made to face the consequences of their actions.
Fwinbe’s family, kinsmen, friends, community, and entire right thinking persons are mourning this great loss, the manner it happened makes the pain worse.
The tone on social media is sad, many Nigerians are not happy with the sad and barbaric incident and are calling on security agencies to get to the root of the matter and make arrests.
Even if it was a case of mistaken identity or car theft as alleged, citizens should learn to follow legal means and take such issues to the appropriate authorities rather than resort to jungle justice. For life to be snuffed out of such an enterprising youth is totally not acceptable, whatever the justification because human life is sacred. The perpetrators should be fished out and punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
There is no justification for such action whatever the explanation given as the reason for the lynching and mob action, therefore there sound be justice for Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan.
