According to the police, the suspects have confessed to their involvement and remain in custody while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other persons believed to have participated in the attack.
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with the mob killing of two travellers who were wrongly accused of being kidnappers and thieves in Gidan Kalu Village, Birnin Yero Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the incident occurred on July 1 when the victims both from Umar Village in Igabi Local Government Area, were travelling on a motorcycle to Tudun Wada in Zaria to visit a sick uncle.
The police said the victims were passing through Gidan Kalu Village, a few kilometres from Maraban Jos, when some residents allegedly became suspicious after seeing them riding a new motorcycle and began shouting, “thieves.”
Fearing for their safety, the two men reportedly abandoned the motorcycle and fled. However, they were pursued by an angry mob, brutally attacked and lynched despite repeatedly insisting that they were not criminals.
The command noted that some members of the mob reportedly knew the victims personally.
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The statement said operatives of the Birnin Yero Police Division responded after receiving a report of the incident and arrested Abdullahi Mukailu Kigo and five others in connection with the killings.
According to the police, the suspects have confessed to their involvement and remain in custody while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other persons believed to have participated in the attack.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, condemned the killings, describing the mob action as unlawful and unacceptable.
He vowed that all those found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of their status, and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands based on mere allegations.
The commissioner stressed that no individual has the authority to act as investigator, judge and executioner, noting that every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He urged residents to report suspected criminals to the nearest police station or other security agencies for proper investigation and lawful prosecution rather than resorting to jungle justice.
The police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
