Mob Lynches Suspect After Police Recover AK-47s at Niger Accident Scene
The Niger State Police Command has made a significant recovery of weapons following a fatal accident, while also condemning an act of mob violence that resulted in a death. According to a statement released by the command's spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on February 19, 2026, police patrol teams responded to a distress call and discovered three AK-47 rifles, six magazines, and 104 rounds of ammunition at the scene of a lone accident.
Details of the Incident and Weapon Recovery
The incident occurred on February 17, 2026, at approximately 9:50 PM. Police from the Gawu-Babangida Division were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along the Boyi-Sarki/Toll gate area when they received a report about an accident. Two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle, traveling from the Tafa area of Kaduna State towards Abuja, had crashed into a road construction barrier near the Toll gate.
Upon arrival at the scene, the patrol team, along with other bystanders who had rushed to assist, recovered a sack from the accident victims. A search of the bag revealed the cache of weapons, including the three AK-47 rifles, magazines, and ammunition, which were confirmed to belong to the victims, now considered suspects.
Tragic Outcome and Mob Justice
Unfortunately, the accident had already claimed one life on the spot. As police attempted to rescue the second victim and transport him to a hospital, an angry mob intervened, lynching him to death before authorities could secure his safety. The bodies of both individuals were subsequently moved to the general hospital morgue in Suleja for further examination.
The Commissioner of Police for Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, strongly condemned the mob action, emphasizing that such acts of jungle justice undermine law enforcement efforts. He stated that the surviving suspect could have provided crucial information to help police trace the source of the rifles and uncover their intended purpose, rather than resorting to vigilante violence.
In response, CP Elleman has directed the Area Commander in Suleja to launch a thorough investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the lynching. Additionally, the recovered rifles are undergoing ballistic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation into the weapons' origins and the suspects' motives.
Related Arrest in Separate Motorcycle Theft Case
In a separate but related development, the police command also reported an arrest connected to a motorcycle theft. On February 17, 2026, a victim reported that on February 11, he was attacked by unknown assailants while riding his motorcycle to Kwanan-Mariga. The attackers used sticks to assault him, causing him to fall and sustain serious injuries, after which they stole his motorcycle.
Police operatives from the Kagara Division initiated an investigation and arrested Umar Mansir, a 40-year-old resident of Kwanan-Mariga, who was attempting to sell the stolen motorcycle at Baban-Rami. Mansir confessed to the crime and implicated two accomplices, Abdullahi Garba and Danar Ilya, who remain at large. The motorcycle has been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
This series of events highlights ongoing security challenges in Niger State, combining issues of illegal arms possession, mob justice, and criminal activities like theft. The police continue to urge public cooperation in maintaining law and order, rather than taking matters into their own hands.
