The Benue State Police have arrested two men for their involvement in the burial alive of an elderly man named Ihwakaa Ikyve on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
The incident happened in Ikyve, a community in Konshisha Local Government of the state.
The suspects had accused the man of witchcraft and alleged that he was responsible for the death of three people who were struck by lightning in the area following a rainstorm.
The police spokesperson in the state, Catherine Anene, disclosed that some angry youths buried the elderly man alive after accusing him of witchcraft.
“An elderly man was buried alive because it was alleged that he sent lightning to his two sons and wife. One of the sons was just two-month-old, she said.
The suspects claimed that the man had a reputation for harming people with witchcraft.
“The irate youth went and buried him alive and he died in the grave before he was rescued. Police are investigating the incident. We have arrested two people already,” the police spokesperson said.
However, the police intervened and arrested the suspects, foiling a barbaric act of vigilante justice. The police have also exhumed the body of the deceased from the grave.
Anene condemned the act, describing it as inhumane and a violation of the rule of law.
She urged residents of the state to desist from taking the law into their own hands and to report any suspected criminal activities to the appropriate authorities.
The police have assured residents of the state that justice will be served in this case, and they will continue to work towards ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
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