Mob lynches Okada rider wrongly accused of motorcycle theft in Benue

A commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an Okada rider, has been lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Gboko town, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, after being mistakenly accused of stealing a Bajaj motorcycle.

Witnesses said the tragic incident occurred over the weekend near the War U Sarwuan area, close to Tofi Grammar School, when the victim was wrongly identified as a thief.

According to eyewitness accounts, the rider was overtaken by a mob chasing a suspected motorcycle thief. In panic, he reportedly lost control of his motorcycle while making a sharp turn, causing his passenger to flee the scene and leaving him behind.

Despite his pleas of innocence and attempts to identify himself, the mob attacked him. One of the attackers allegedly struck him with a stone before he was set ablaze.

Moments later, the actual owner of the motorcycle arrived and confirmed that the victim was innocent, explaining that the bike had been purchased just two weeks earlier. He described the deceased as a responsible husband and father of three.

Residents said police officers later arrived at the scene around 10 p.m. to evacuate the victim’s body.