The Plateau State Police Command on Thursday confirmed that one Mr Fwinbe Thomas was killed along Tudun Wada Ring Road, Hwolshe in Jos.
The Command also said it has arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Mr Fwinbe.
DAILYPOST gathered that the deceased was killed by motorcycle riders who alleged that he had brushed a motorcycle rider in Jos around Tudun Wada Motor park area of Jos North LGA.
A source, the alleged brushing prompted the riders to give the deceased a hot chase, calling him a thief.
He said when they eventually caught up with him, they perpetrated the evil act on the innocent man, leading to his death.
The source further revealed that the sad incident occurred around 9pm on that fateful night. The development has created tension around the community.
The source, however, called on security operatives to enforce the ban on Motorcycle riders in the state.
DAILYPOST recalls that the operation of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada, had been banned in the Jos- Bukuru metropolis and was backed by law for over a decade.
However, the Okada riders have continued to operate despite the ban, especially in the last eight years.
The Police have now confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, in Jos.
Alabo said, “The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Police Command, Okoro Julius Alawari, is miffed with and totally condemns the unlawful killing of one Mr Fwinbe Thomas, who was found lying in a pool of his own blood along Tudun Wada Ring Road, Hwolshe in Jos.
“Sequel to a report of the incident by a credible informant on 25th September, 2023, at about 22:30 hours, the Police Patrol Team attached to Anglo-Jos Division swiftly rushed to the scene of the cruel incident where they found the victim lying in a pool of his own blood beside a damaged Suzuki Mini Bus with Reg. No: KWK 536 XA, with multiple injuries on his head.
“The victim is suspected to have been cruelly beaten to death by some hoodlums, suspected to be commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘Okada riders’ whose operation in Jos/Bukuru metropolis is illegal.
According to him, “Photographs of the victim were taken, the vehicle was towed to the station and the body of the victim was taken to the Plateau Specialist Hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy”, he explained.
“The State Police Command wishes to inform Plateau residents and the public that efforts are on top gear to apprehend the killers of Mr Fwinbe Thomas”, he assured.
The Command appeals for calm, assuring that the police are already on top of the situation.
The Command further assures residents that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will not evade justice, saying “there is no hiding place for evil doers in the state”.
The Plateau Police boss also sends a stern warning to executors of “Jungle Justice” to desist from such lawlessness as the Command under his watch will not spare any person found culpable of such inhuman act.
He emphasized the need for citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to take charge of such cases instead of taking laws into their own hands.
“One of the suspects who killed the above young man has been arrested.
“Investigation into this case is still ongoing and further development will be made available to the public in due course”, he further assured.
The Command further uses this medium to inform the public that, “the ban on the use of motorcycles popularly known as Okada within Jos Metropolis and Bukuru is still in force.
