A suspected phone snatcher has been killed by an irate crowd in Plateau State after he was accused of robbing a resident at gunpoint in Jos North Local Government Area.
The incident has deepened concerns over rising cases of jungle justice in parts of the state, particularly within communities in Jos where residents have increasingly taken the law into their own hands.
Eyewitnesses said the drama unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the Apata area of Jos North.
According to accounts gathered from residents, the young man allegedly seized a mobile phone and attempted to escape after firing a gunshot to disperse bystanders.
A resident, who identified himself as Mathew Paul, said tension escalated when onlookers noticed the suspect was struggling to operate his firearm.
“He tried to intimidate people by shooting into the air,” Paul said.
“But when it became clear that he was having difficulty with the weapon, some youths confronted him.
“Within minutes, a large crowd formed, overpowered him and set him on fire.”
Moreover, sources disclosed that security personnel arrived at the scene after the mob had dispersed.
By that time, however, the suspect had already succumbed to severe burns.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts to obtain an official reaction from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer were not answered as of press time.
However, the killing has once again spotlighted the persistent trend of mob violence in Plateau State.
Community leaders and civil society groups have previously warned that such actions undermine the rule of law and complicate criminal investigations.
Furthermore, residents recalled similar lynching incidents in the Kabong and Jenta Adamu neighbourhoods of Jos North last year, where suspected criminals were also set ablaze by angry mobs.
Security analysts argue that distrust in the justice system and delayed law enforcement response often fuel these reprisals.
They insist that strengthening community policing and ensuring swift prosecution of offenders remain critical to curbing the cycle of mob action in Jos and other parts of Plateau State.