Police in Benue State said it has arrested a serving police inspector and two civilians for allegedly stealing electric cables in Makurdi.
The suspects were lucky to have narrowly escaped being lynched by some angry mob before the arrival of the police.
A source in the police command said the incident happened on the morning of June 10, around 8:00 a.m., when officers from the ‘D’ Division received a distress call.
According to the caller, some identified persons broke into a shop located behind Alhaji Dash House in Ankpa Quarters and were caught stealing electrical wires.
By the time police arrived, an angry crowd had already gathered and begun attacking the suspects.
A patrol team was quickly dispatched to the scene, where they were able to rescue the three individuals from the mob.
The suspects were later identified as Mohammed Umaru, 49; Mohammad Mutala, 27; and Inspector Innocent Ishaku, a serving police officer.
Inspector Ishaku reportedly sustained serious injuries during the mob attack and was immediately taken to the police clinic in Makurdi for treatment. He was discharged after receiving medical care.
Further investigation revealed that the police officer was previously attached to PMF 13 in Makurdi but had been transferred to the Kaduna State Command about six months ago.
The officer is currently in custody and facing internal disciplinary procedures. He has been marked for a formal trial within the police disciplinary system known as an orderly room trial.
