The family of a 20-year-old man who died after an alleged mob attack at Lanja in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region is demanding justice, insisting that those responsible must be held accountable under the law.
The incident occurred on Sunday, December 7, after the young man was accused of stealing fowl. He later died at the Yendi Hospital after sustaining injuries believed to have resulted from an assault.
According to information gathered, the deceased was earlier seen at the Bakpaba market, a nearby community, where he was allegedly attempting to sell the fowl. He reportedly fled the market after the birds were identified by their owners.
Later that evening, he was allegedly confronted on the road by some youth and got attacked. He was rushed to the Yendi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody at Yendi as investigations continue.
Speaking to Channel One News, Yakubu Mohammed, uncle to the deceased, said the family only became aware of the incident after the attack had already occurred.
“Our son went out on Sunday and never returned. We began searching for him and later received information from some people in the community that he had been beaten by certain individuals. When I went to the place, I found him unconscious.
“Nobody informed our family about what had happened. We only got to know at the hospital that he had died. We reported the matter to the police, and one suspect has since been arrested. We want the law to take its course. We want justice for our son,” he said.
The family of the suspect has, however, admitted that an unfortunate incident occurred and has appealed to the bereaved family for forgiveness. They claim the deceased had stolen the fowls but allege that he sustained his injuries after falling from a motorbike while being transported after his arrest.
They stressed that both families belong to the same community and called for calm and understanding to prevent further tension.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for the Lanja Electoral Area, Bayetiwan Emmanuel, appealed for peace and restraint. He told Channel One News that he was unwell and receiving treatment at the hospital at the time the incident occurred.
He urged residents not to allow the matter to disrupt unity and cooperation in the community and encouraged all parties to allow the police to carry out their work.
Police say investigations into the case are ongoing, and the suspect remains in custody.
