Two suspected robbers met a violent end at the hands of an irate mob in Abuja on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The event unfolded along the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway, commonly known as Airport Road.
Around 3 p.m., the suspects, operating a commercial vehicle, allegedly robbed a female passenger travelling from the Gosa area toward the city centre.
After dispossessing her of personal belongings, they reportedly pushed her out of the moving vehicle.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the victim narrowly avoided being run over by another car coming behind the suspects.
The driver of this vehicle immediately initiated a pursuit, sounding his horn to alert other road users.
As the chase progressed, more motorists and bystanders joined in. The suspects’ escape attempt was thwarted near the ACO Estate Junction when another driver blocked their path as they attempted a U-turn back toward Gosa.
Abandoning their vehicle, the suspects tried to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended by the growing crowd.
One suspect was caught and subjected to severe beating before being set ablaze. The second suspect was thrown into a roadside gutter, where he remained motionless, leading many to assume he was dead.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered he was still alive. However, before authorities could intervene, the mob resumed their assault, ultimately leading to his death. The vehicle used by the suspects was also set on fire by the mob.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, expressed frustration over the lack of timely intervention by law enforcement.
“I wasn’t even asking them to rescue him,” the witness said. “At least they could have arrested him to get more information about their gang. These ‘one-chance’ robbers are a serious menace. I’ve been a victim myself.”
As of the time of reporting, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Josephine Adeh, had not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
‘One-chance’ robberies involve criminals posing as commercial drivers to lure unsuspecting passengers.
Once the victim is inside the vehicle, they are robbed, assaulted, and sometimes even killed. This form of crime has been a persistent issue in Abuja and other major Nigerian cities.
The video of the attack on the suspects is too gory to share.
