Police arrest six over mob killing of two travellers in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six suspects over the unlawful killing of two innocent travellers at Gidan Kaku village in Birnin Yero, a few kilometres from Maraban Jos, following false allegations that they were kidnappers.

DSP Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement, “On 1st July, 2026, one Muhammadu Sani, 45, and his friend, Aliyu Mohammed, 40, both of Umar Village, Igabi LGA, were travelling on a motorcycle to Tudun Wada Zaria, to visit their sick uncle. While passing through Gidan Kalu Village, some unidentified persons allegedly became suspicious after seeing them riding a new motorcycle and began shouting ‘thieves’.”

The statement explained that, fearing for their lives, the victims abandoned the motorcycle and fled. However, they were pursued by an angry mob, brutally attacked, and lynched despite their attempts to explain that they were not thieves and that some of the assailants even knew them.

According to Hassan, upon receiving the report, police operatives from the Birnin Yero Division swung into action and arrested Abdullahi Mukailu Kigo and five others in connection with the incident.

He stated that the suspects confessed to the crime and are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons who participated in the unlawful killing of the two victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, condemned the incident and vowed that all those found culpable, irrespective of their status, would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The CP advised members of the public against jungle justice based on mere allegations, warning that anyone who takes the law into their own hands would be arrested and face the consequences, irrespective of their status or position. He pointed out that no individual has the right to assume the role of investigator.

He added that, legally, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

He urged residents to always report suspected criminals to the nearest police station or other security agencies for investigation and prosecution.