The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six suspects over the mob killing of two travellers who were allegedly mistaken for kidnappers in Gidan Kalu Village, Birnin Yero, near Maraban Jos in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, identified as 45-year-old Muhammadu Sani and 40-year-old Aliyu Mohammed, both from Umar Village in Igabi LGA, were said to have been travelling on a motorcycle to Tudun Wada in Zaria on July 1 to visit their sick uncle when the incident occurred.
According to the police, some residents became suspicious after seeing the pair on a new motorcycle and raised an alarm, accusing them of being thieves.
Fearing for their safety, the travellers reportedly abandoned the motorcycle and attempted to escape.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the command said the victims were pursued by an angry mob and beaten to death despite insisting they were innocent.
The police added that some members of the crowd had reportedly recognised the two men before the attack.
Following a report of the incident, operatives from the Birnin Yero Police Division launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of six suspects, including Abdullahi Mukailu Kigo.
The command disclosed that the suspects had confessed to taking part in the attack and remained in custody, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend others involved.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, condemned the lynching, describing it as unlawful, barbaric and unacceptable.
He vowed that all those connected with the crime would be arrested and prosecuted regardless of their status.
Muhammad also warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He urged members of the public to report suspected criminals to security agencies instead of resorting to jungle justice.
The latest incident is the second major case of mob violence recorded around the Maraban Jos axis within a few weeks, raising fresh concerns over the persistence of jungle justice in the state despite repeated warnings by security agencies.
The earlier case involved the killing of Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, who was reportedly lynched after being falsely accused of kidnapping.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, prompting Governor Uba Sani to visit the bereaved family and pledge support, while police arrested several suspects in connection with the crime.
The Kaduna State Police Command reiterated its appeal to residents to allow security agencies to investigate allegations of criminality through lawful procedures rather than taking the law into their own hands.