Vigilante Operatives Beat Serving Corps Member to Death

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ben Agir, has died after being assaulted by vigilante operatives in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

Agir, who was serving in Gombe State, had returned home to Benue for a short visit ahead of his final clearance scheduled in a few weeks.

The incident reportedly happened late on Sunday night, April 19, around Mbajor settlement, close to the local government secretariat.

A local source said the corps member was mistaken for a motorcycle thief and was arrested by members of a vigilante group before he could explain himself.

“The vigilante group arrested him late Sunday night and accused him of being a motorcycle snatcher. They beat him and did not give him any opportunity to explain himself,” the source said.

The source further explained that the assault continued until the victim lost consciousness.

“They continued beating him until he lost consciousness. It was only after that they rushed him to a hospital where he was confirmed dead,” the source added.

The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Council, Raymond Aondoakura, confirmed the incident and described it as preventable.

“The report got to me on Monday at about 4 am. The incident occurred late Sunday night, between 11 pm and midnight, at Mbajor settlement near the Local Government Secretariat,” he said.

He explained that the victim attempted to identify himself before the situation escalated.

“From what I gathered, they apprehended him on suspicion of being a bike snatcher. Before he could properly identify himself and present his ID card, one of the vigilante leaders began beating him, insisting he was lying. Others joined, and he was beaten into a coma,” Aondoakura said.

He added that the attackers only realised the severity of the situation after the victim collapsed.

“When they realised the severity of his condition, they took him to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead,” he said.

The council chairman confirmed that those involved have been arrested and handed over to the police.

“We have arrested all those involved and handed them over to the police for arraignment. We also confirmed that the deceased was indeed a serving corps member,” he stated.

Following the incident, the local government announced the suspension and disbandment of vigilante activities in Buruku pending further regulation.