Gauraka, Niger State – December 29, 2024: Two robbery suspects were saved from certain death by the timely intervention of police officers after an irate mob attempted to lynch them in the wake of a daring highway robbery along the Abuja-Kaduna road. The suspects, who had been part of a larger gang terrorizing motorists and motorcycle riders, were apprehended by the community members who had taken justice into their own hands. The robbery unfolded at dawn on December 29, as the thieves targeted unsuspecting riders, stealing both their motorcycles and cash.
The incident took place near the Chachi community in Gauraka, located within Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. According to police reports, the suspects had set up a blockade along the busy highway, using a Mercedes Benz to impede traffic. They then proceeded to rob motorcyclists, a growing target for criminals on major Nigerian roads due to their vulnerability.
The Robbery
The attack unfolded around 5:48 AM when residents of the Gauraka and Tafa regions, as well as several motorists, reported seeing a group of men in a vehicle, blocking off the road and accosting motorcyclists. The thieves were reported to have been in the process of snatching two motorcycles from two victims, who were later identified as travelers headed to Katsina State.
“The suspects were blocking the road, stopping motorcyclists, and seizing their bikes along with the riders’ belongings,” said one eyewitness, a resident of Gauraka who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. “The motorcyclists were beaten, and their possessions stolen. It was a horrific scene, but the people here didn’t just watch. They acted fast.”
In the commotion, the robbers made off with seventy thousand naira in cash and the two motorcycles, leaving the victims injured but alive.
The Mob’s Fury
As news of the robbery spread, local residents, already frustrated with the increasing rate of highway crime, gathered in large numbers to confront the suspects. By the time the police were alerted, the crowd was ready to administer what they considered justice on the spot.
A local shop owner, who was among the first to spot the suspects, recounted how the mob closed in on the robbers. “People were furious. It’s been happening too often on this road. We don’t wait for the police anymore; we take matters into our own hands,” he said. “But thankfully, the police arrived in time.”
The crowd’s fury grew as the police arrived and immediately began attempting to extract the suspects from the mob’s clutches. Local residents had already begun to inflict damage on the robbers, who had been severely beaten by the time the authorities intervened.
“The police had to use force to rescue the suspects from the mob, who were determined to carry out their own version of justice,” said a police source involved in the rescue operation.
The Police Response
Speaking about the incident, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed that the police had successfully intervened to prevent a lynching.
“We received a tip-off at around 5:48 AM on December 29th that some hoodlums had blocked the Abuja-Kaduna highway near Chachi, attempting to rob motorcyclists,” SP Abiodun stated in a press release. “Upon mobilizing our patrol teams from Tafa and Gauraka, we were able to apprehend two of the suspects, Yau Alidu, 45, from Rogo in Kano State, and Basiru Dauda, 33, from Sabon-Gari in Kaduna State.”
The police spokesperson emphasized that the quick response of the police officers helped avoid what could have turned into a tragic situation. “We arrived just in time to save the suspects, who had been badly beaten by the mob. They were promptly rescued and taken into police custody,” Abiodun said.
In addition to the arrests, two motorcycles were recovered from the suspects, along with a portion of the stolen cash. The victims were later interviewed, and they confirmed the details of the robbery, including the amount of money stolen.
Confessions and Investigations
In police custody, the suspects admitted to their roles in the robbery. They identified a third member of their gang, Ibrahim, who managed to escape before the police arrived. According to SP Abiodun, the suspects have already confessed to several other robberies along the same stretch of road.
“We are continuing our investigation and expect to apprehend other members of the gang. We are also working to ensure that the suspects face appropriate legal action,” Abiodun explained. The police are currently preparing to transfer the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
Background: A Growing Threat
The Abuja-Kaduna highway has long been a hotspot for criminal activities, with armed robbers often preying on travelers and motorcyclists. This stretch of road, which links the Federal Capital Territory to the northern part of Nigeria, has witnessed a surge in robberies and kidnappings in recent years, especially around Gauraka, Tafa, and other nearby communities.
Local law enforcement has struggled to contain the rising wave of crime in the area, and frustrated residents have begun to take matters into their own hands. Vigilante groups are becoming increasingly active in the region, patrolling roads and offering protection against armed robbers. However, such actions have sometimes led to violent confrontations, as seen in this recent incident.
