NYSC Member Beaten To Death In Benue

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ben Agir Une, has been beaten to death by members of a community vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State after he was allegedly mistaken for a motorcycle thief.

Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Aondoakura, confirmed the development to journalists in Makurdi on Thursday while condemning the killing of the young man.

He said that the incident, which occurred late Sunday night between 11pm and 12am was reported to have taken place at Mbajor settlement, near the Buruku LG secretariat.

Aondoakura said that the deceased Une, was an indigene of Tongov in Katsina-Ala LGA and reportedly serving in Gombe State.

The council chairman further explained that the deceased was apprehended by vigilante members during a night patrol on suspicion of being a motorcycle thief.

He further disclosed that Une was allegedly attacked before he could properly identify himself or present his NYSC identification card.

“From what I gathered, they said they caught him and suspected that he was a bike snatcher. Before he could explain himself and present his identification card, one of the leaders started beating him, claiming that he was not telling them the truth,” the chairman said.

Aondoakura added that the victim was beaten into a coma and later taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

The council boss stated that all those involved in the incident have been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

“We have arrested all of them and handed them to the police for arraignment. We confirmed that the deceased was a serving corps member,” he said.

Aondoakura further announced the immediate suspension of vigilante activities in Buruku LGA, noting that the groups have been disbanded pending the introduction of proper regulations to check their operations.

Residents of the area claimed that the deceased was expected to complete his NYSC next month before the incident that took his life.

Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to calls or messages put through her telephone for comment on the incident at the time of filling this report.(Daily trust)