A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, identified as Ben Agir, has allegedly been beaten to death by members of a community vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area, Benue State.
The incident happened Sunday night between 11 p.m. and midnight at Anibros settlement near the LGA secretariat, during a night patrol by the vigilantes.
A local source said Agir was stopped on suspicion of motorcycle theft.
“From what I gathered, they said they caught him and suspected he was a bike snatcher. Before he could explain himself and present his ID card, one of the leaders started beating him, claiming he was not telling them the truth,” Aondoakura said.
“They beat him to a coma. Seeing his condition, they took him to a hospital that night, and he died.”
The Buruku LGA Chairman, Raymond Sunday said the suspects have been arrested and handed over to the police. He added that the council has suspended vigilante operations in the area pending regulation.
“We confirmed that the deceased was a serving corps member,” Aondoakura stated.
However, NYSC Public Relations Officer in Benue, Mrs. Veronica Ogwuche, said preliminary findings indicate the deceased was not serving in Benue.
“He may have been serving in Gombe State,” she told reporters.
Attempts to reach Benue Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. The ConclaveNG
