How three ‘kidnappers’ were burnt alive in Abuja

Three suspected kidnappers were on Monday burnt alive in the Dutse Alhaji area of the federal capital territory.

The three men were said to have been caught in a moving vehicle while trying to abduct a lady.

Aminu Umar, a Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), said the lady was heard screaming for help from inside the vehicle around 8am on Monday.

“The lady was suddenly pushed out of the vehicle while screaming. A motorist, who saw what had happened, pulled over in front of the vehicle and blocked it under the Dutse Bridge,” he said.

“From there, Okada riders (motorcyclists) surrounded the vehicle and told them to come out.

“They asked them if the vehicle was one chance (kidnappers) and the next thing, they started beating them and eventually put fire on them and the vehicle.”

Aliyu Mohammed, a witness, said the angry motorcyclists attacked and burnt the suspects “because it was obvious they were kidnappers”.

Mohammed said it was the normal tactics of kidnappers operating in Abuja to push victims out of their moving vehicle after carrying out their illegal act.

Sylvanus Ekpenyong, route commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the corps was alerted following the gridlock caused by the incident.

“We were at Dutse junction and we got information that there was traffic building up before the Dutse Bridge because a vehicle was on fire,” he said.

“We rushed down there to clear the road only to see three dead burnt bodies and a burnt vehicle. When we made inquiries from eye witnesses, they said it was one chance (kidnappers).”

The female victim was taken to Kubwa General Hospital for treatment while the bodies of the suspects were evacuated to a nearby mortuary.

Abuja has been witnessed an increase in the rate of crime, particularly with regards to kidnapping and robbery.