Two young men have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of an 18-year-old boy, Abbas Zakari, who was allegedly beaten to death over a missing phone and power bank in Ngalda, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Musa Sale and 23-year-old Muntari Suleiman, reportedly took the law into their own hands after accusing the teenager of stealing an Android phone, a keypad phone, and a power bank.
According to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27. A relative of the deceased, Hussaini Zakari, told police that the duo had tracked Abbas to Potiskum, where he had allegedly gone to sell the stolen items. The suspects recovered the gadgets but failed to report him to law enforcement.
Instead, upon returning to Ngalda, they allegedly assaulted the teenager, beating him with sticks in what turned into a fatal act of mob justice.
Police officers later rushed the victim to the General Hospital in Fika, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor. His body was released to his family and buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Both suspects have been taken into custody and, according to police sources, confessed to the assault during preliminary interrogation. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Authorities have condemned the incident, reiterating that individuals must not take the law into their own hands, no matter the allegations involved.
