Uproar in Kogi as Vigilantes Allegedly Kill Mother’s Only Son

Uproar has erupted in Ankpa, Kogi State, following the reported killing of a young man identified as AbdulHahim over alleged electric cable theft.

A video circulating online shows the young man pleading with his alleged assailants to spare his life, saying he was his mother’s only son.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, October 15, in a suburb of Ankpa, headquarters of Ankpa Local Government Area.

In the video, published in reports attributed to Daily Trust, the young man appealed to his alleged attackers for mercy.

“Please do not kill me, Alhaji. I am the only son of my mother. Have mercy on me,” he pleaded.

Reports linked the confrontation to allegations of electric cable theft. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the identities of those directly involved remain unclear.

The reported killing has divided opinion among residents. While some condemned it as jungle justice, others argued that anyone caught stealing should face the consequences of their actions.

Concerned residents, however, insist that allegations of theft do not justify violence or extrajudicial punishment. They have called on security agencies to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.

A resident, Usman Adejoh, from Agwa-Ankpa, condemned the reported killing and urged the authorities to intervene.

He called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of anyone found responsible. He also warned that failure to address the incident transparently could heighten tensions and erode public trust.

Adejoh maintained that security personnel should arrest suspected offenders and hand them over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

“If someone is suspected of stealing a cable or committing any other offence, the proper response is to apprehend the suspect, hand him over to the police, conduct an investigation and allow the courts to determine the case according to the law,” a resident said.

Meanwhile, the Atakpo vigilante group, which operates in Ankpa and surrounding communities, has reportedly denied involvement in the incident.

“We have no hand in that incident; it’s not from us,” a source from the group was quoted as saying.

The denial comes amid calls for the authorities to identify those involved and determine whether any vigilante members participated in the alleged killing.

The incident has renewed concerns about jungle justice and the treatment of criminal suspects outside the formal justice system.

Although some communities rely on local vigilante groups to support security efforts, residents have stressed that their operations must comply with the law and respect the rights of suspects.

Under Nigeria’s legal system, an allegation of theft does not establish guilt. Suspects are entitled to due process, while the courts determine criminal responsibility based on evidence presented before them.

Residents have therefore urged the police to conduct a transparent investigation into AbdulHahim’s death, identify those responsible and ensure that justice takes its course.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on the incident.