Local vigilantes reportedly killed a young man identified simply as AbdulHakim over alleged cable theft in Ankpa, headquarters of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Reports indicated that the incident occurred around noon on Thursday, when the deceased encountered the group in the suburb of the town.
In a trending video clip of the incident, the young man was heard screaming for help, pleading with his assailants to temper justice with mercy.
“Please do not kill me, Alhaji, I am the only son of my mother. Have mercy on me,” the deceased pleaded while in the hands of his alleged assailants.
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According to reports, tension has gripped Ankpa residents, with opinion divided over the incident.
While many condemned what they described as extra-judicial killing, others argued that the young man deserved his fate.
Yet, many residents said the incident deserves public attention, proper investigation and a response from relevant authorities.
A concerned resident of the town, Usman Adejoh from Agwa-Ankpa, the alleged abode of the deceased, said the incident was not properly handled, describing it as an act of jungle justice.
He called on relevant authorities to intervene and conduct a thorough investigation into the killing to douse growing tension and suspicion.
“If someone is suspected of stealing a cable or committing any other offence, the proper response is to apprehend the suspect, hand him over to the police, conduct an investigation and allow the courts to determine the case according to the law,” a resident said.
However, a popular vigilante group, “Atakpo, known for its decisive action against criminals terrorising the town and its environs, reportedly denied involvement in the incident.
“We have no hand in that incident; it’s not from us,” a source from the Atakpo vigilante said.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said, “I haven’t confirmed the incident yet; will revert as soon as I get it, please.”
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