The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, has confirmed the arrest of 18 suspects in connection with the lynching of an Inspector, Lasare Jeremiah.
Jeremiah was killed after a suspected motorcycle thief raised a false alarm which led to a mob attack in Bassa Local Government Area of the state last Wednesday.
The incident occured when Inspector Jeremiah who was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department, was mandated to arrest a criminal suspect, Audu Abdullahi, who had been terrorizing residents of Nyakala community in the Bassa council.
In the course of the arrest, the suspect reportedly raised an alarm that Jeremiah and another police officer who went to effect the arrest, were motorcycle thieves.
The false alarm led to a mob action as Jeremiah and his colleague were beaten to a pulp.
Jeremiah subsequently died as a result of the mob action.
The suspect was also beaten to death after the mob realized that he had given them false information.
Confirming the arrest of the 18 individuals in a statement on Saturday, DSP Alabo said, “Yesterday, we made about three arrests, and those three arrested mentioned other names.
“We have made a good number of other arrests, and in total, about 18 persons have been arrested so far concerning this incident.
“The police officers were carrying out their civic responsibility when they were attacked by a mob. The suspect raised an alarm, claiming the police officers were motorcycle thieves, which led to the mob attack.
“The officers went out on normal duty and got their suspect, but due to the behavior of the suspect, the invitation turned into an arrest.
“The mob descended on the officer, despite him identifying himself as a police officer. Unfortunately, the officer sustained severe injuries and later died in the hospital. The mob also attacked the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital,” he said, while condemning the resort to jungle justice which he said is never the way to go in a civilized society.
“We should not take the law into our hands. There’s a reason for our establishment. None of those in the mob can claim they don’t know the police station or that they are unaware of the nearby military checkpoint in the area.”
Alfred described the death of Inspector Jeremiah as a huge loss to the Command as he was one of the best officers in the State CID. He described him as a very professional, hardworking and a brilliant officer.
“The loss is big, a loss to his family, the people, and the Nigerian Police,” he lamented.