Police arrest 6 over mob killing of two travelers in Birnin Yero

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with the mob killing of two innocent travelers at Gidan Kalu Village, Birnin Yero, a few kilometers from Maraban Jos, on allegations of being kidnappers and thieves.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, Anipr, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, psc, mni, on Monday, 6th July, 2026.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on 1st July, 2026, when one Muhammadu Sani, 45, and his friend, Aliyu Mohammed, 40, both of Umar Village, Igabi LGA, were traveling on a motorcycle to Tudun Wada, Zaria, to visit their sick uncle.
“While passing through Gidan Kalu Village, some unidentified persons allegedly became suspicious after seeing them riding a new motorcycle and began shouting ‘thieves’,” the statement said.
“In fear for their lives, the victims abandoned the motorcycle and fled.
“They were, however, pursued by an angry mob, brutally attacked, and lynched to death by the mob, despite their plea and explanation that they are not thieves and that some of the assailants even knew them.”
DSP Hassan said that on receipt of the complaint, police operatives from Birnin Yero Division swung into action and arrested six suspects in connection with the incident.
He listed one of the suspects as Abdullahi Mukailu Kigo, along with five others. The statement added that the suspects have confessed to the crime and are currently in police custody. At the same time, an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons who participated in the unlawful killing.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, condemned the incident in the strongest terms and vowed that all those found culpable, irrespective of their status, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The CP warned members of the public against jungle justice and taking the law into their own hands.
“People taking law into their own hands will be arrested and will face the consequences irrespective of their status or position,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He stressed that no individual has the right to assume the role of investigator, adding that “legally, the law presumes that an accused person is presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proved.”
The Commissioner urged residents to always report suspected criminals to the nearest police station or other security agencies for investigation and prosecution.