An irate mob on Friday set ablaze a property suspected to be a criminal warehouse on George Akume Way in Makurdi, Benue State capital, following the discovery of stolen motorcycles and household items.
The incident sparked traffic gridlock as scores of commercial motorcyclists besieged the area, barricading roads and demanding that security operatives reveal the identity of the property owner.
Investigations revealed that the suspected stolen goods were uncovered through a joint operation by the police and a motorcycle owner who deployed a tracking device to trace his stolen bike to the premises.
Upon locating his stolen motorcycle at the property, the owner alerted other Okada riders.
Together with the police, they surrounded the building, broke in, and discovered several motorcycles, sewing machines, and grinding machines all suspected to have been stolen.
Acting swiftly, police operatives evacuated the recovered motorcycles to E Division Police Station in Makurdi to prevent further escalation.
However, the development infuriated the commercial motorcyclists, who mounted roadblocks along the busy George Akume Way, insisting that the police vacate the premises to enable them torch the building.
The confrontation between the agitated riders and security personnel caused severe disruption to vehicular movement, leaving commuters and residents stranded for hours.
The police have urged anyone with complaints of stolen motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, or other household items to report to E Division Police Station in Wurukum, Makurdi.
As of now, the police had yet to disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the alleged stolen property.