The family of Abdullahi Bello has called for justice following his alleged killing by a mob in the Rantiya community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State after he was reportedly mistaken for a Fulani man.
The deceased’s sister, Hannatu Bello, said her brother left home on Sunday but failed to return, prompting concern among family members.
Speaking on the incident, she said the family was later contacted by the police, who informed them that Bello had been found unconscious after allegedly being attacked by a mob.
According to her, she and their mother rushed to the General Hospital in Dadin Kowa, where they met him unconscious. He later succumbed to the injuries he sustained.
Hannatu said the Investigating Police Officer handling the case told the family that officers on patrol at about 3 a.m. on Monday received information from local vigilantes that Bello had been assaulted by individuals who allegedly mistook him for a Fulani man.
“I asked the IPO if my brother was okay, but he asked me to come to the hospital. When we got there, we found him unconscious.
“From the injuries on his body, he had machete cuts and signs of strangulation, and blood was coming from his mouth.
The IPO asked if he was Fulani, but I told him he was not. He was my biological brother, and we are not Fulani,” she said.
Describing the killing as inhumane, Hannatu appealed to the Plateau State Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
She also urged investigators to examine the deceased’s mobile phone, which she said is in police custody, to determine the last person he communicated with before the attack.
“Now that his phone is with the police, they should track his calls and identify the last person who spoke with him before the incident.
“We are peaceful people and only want justice. We believe the government will ensure justice is served,” she added.
Reacting to the incident, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, said he was unaware of the case but had seen reports circulating on social media and promised to verify the information.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Alabo Alfred, did not respond to telephone calls or a WhatsApp message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.