Developing Story: Police Arrests One Suspect in Connection with Brutal killing of Fwinbe Thomas
Written by Joey Shekwonuzhibo on September 28, 2023
One suspect has been arrested by the Police in Plateau State in connection to a jungle justice that led to the brutal killing of one Mr. Fwinbe Thomas in Jos, Plateau State on Monday.
The Plateau State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo made this known while briefing Journalists at the command headquarters in Jos
It would be recalled that the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Okoro Julius Alawari, had earlier issued a press statement, condemning the ugly incident and assuring the citizens that efforts were on to apprehend the killers of Mr. Fwinbe Thomas.
He also sent a stern warning to the executors of the “Jungle Justice” to desist from such lawlessness as the Command under his watch will not spare any person found guilty of such inhuman act.
Speaking on the arrest of the suspect, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, said the police was able to identify the arrested suspect whom he described as a prime suspect through a video of the incident which they used to trace and arrest him.
“If you look into the video, you will see his motorcycle that is beside me here, and you would see him carrying a big stone and causing mischief on the vehicle, thereby also hurting the young man who was just cut off in his prime. Just about 35, so it is very painful.” He noted.
The PPRO said when their attention was drawn to the lifeless body of the victim around Tudun Wada -Hwolshe Ring road, in Jos North, their officers led by Divisional Police Officer, SP Opara moved to the scene immediately and then started investigation.
He said the body of the victim with a smashed head, broken legs and arms was removed and taken to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital where the doctor confirmed him dead.
He added that the stones and sticks used by the mob was found in the mini bus of the victim and was taken to the station.
He assured that they would do everything within their power to ensure that other suspected culprits are apprehended as investigation is still ongoing.
“Jungle justice is not the way to go, always remember, when you have a case, report it to any nearby security agency or you report it to the police and it will be well with all of us” he said.
The PPRO also cautioned the citizens of Jos and Bukuru against patronizing motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada because the ban on motorcycles is still in force in Jos and Bukuru metropolis.
However the suspect, Mr. Emmanuel Binbol, a resident of Tudun Wada Community and the Discipline Officer of the Tudun Wada Okada Riders Association, has denied involvement in the mob action that led to the untimely death of the victim.
The suspect who spoke in Hausa said it was the following morning after the incident that he was informed of the development and being a discipline officer he was trying to get to the root of the whole thing when he was arrested by the police.
He noted that he is not the only one that has such sticker on his motorcycle as claimed by the police but he was arrested and brought to the station.
The suspect was paraded alongside his motorcycle as exhibit by the police.
According to him, the information made available to him was that the victim was driving his bus when an unidentified taxi driver following him from behind raised an alarm, by shouting thief! thief! referring to the victim around Tudun Wada park area of Jos. Then some of the motorcycle riders joined him in chasing the bus driver until the taxi driver was able to stop the victim, where the mob action took place and the victim was killed.
