Three persons suspected to be involved in the killing of a traditional ruler in Plateau State were on Friday evening set ablaze by an angry mob in Langtang North Local Government Area.
The victims were accused of participating in the murder of the monarch of Kwallak Community, Ponzhi Kwallak, who was reportedly assassinated on Thursday night.
Sources in the community told journalists in Jos that the assailants had stormed the ruler’s residence, shot him dead and fled with his motorcycle and mobile phone, throwing the area into mourning and heightening tension.
Residents said the suspects were apprehended the following day while allegedly attempting to sell the stolen motorcycle.
They were said to have confessed to the crime before being handed over for onward transfer to security operatives.
However, the situation took a violent turn when a mob intercepted them near the Langtang North Local Government Council Secretariat and set them ablaze.
A resident, Moses Yakubu, said the monarch had recently received the motorcycle, which was later traced to the suspects.
“It is true. The traditional ruler was given a bike some days ago. Some people followed him to his house, shot him, stole his phone and took the bike,” he said.
Another villager, Danladi Mark, described the incident as a reflection of growing frustration over insecurity and what many perceive as delayed justice.
According to him, the mob action was driven by anger and a loss of confidence in the ability of authorities to protect lives and property.
“They came for Ponzhi Kwallak. They silenced a throne. They broke a community,” he said, warning that such acts point to a deeper erosion of trust in the justice system.
“This is not a celebration of violence. It reflects a broken system,” he added.
Efforts to reach the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were not answered as of the time of filing this report.