A mob on Monday set ablaze a tricycle allegedly used by suspected phone thieves near Zololo Junction, Jos North local government area of Plateau.

Vigilantes who rushed to the area saved three suspects, including a woman, from being lynched.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred at about 12:20 p.m.

The suspects allegedly attacked a female passenger in the tricycle with a knife to dispossess her of her phone and other valuables.

She raised an alarm, and residents quickly mobilised and apprehended them.

Our correspondent who visited the scene reports that some angry youths stormed the area and attempted to lynch the suspects, but vigilantes saved them and took them to their office before handing them over to the police.

Residents who gathered at the scene decried what they described as a rise in phone thefts in tricycles in recent days, saying many commuters have lost phones to thieves.

A resident of Zololo, Mr Isa Bello, said, “Some persons suspected to be phone thieves were attacking people and collecting phones and money and today, they were caught. We thank God for that.

“This was not the first time they had been terrorising the area in the early mornings, afternoons and late evenings, dispossessing residents of valuables such as phones, laptops and cash,” Bello said.

Contacted, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident, adding that all the suspects had confessed to the crime.

He named the suspects as Adam Yahaya, 31; Abubakar Umar, 50; and Fatima Adam.

SP Alabo said that as residents were about to beat the suspects, operatives from Angwan Rogo Division intervened, took them into custody and moved them to the station.

The command, however, debunked reports of a curfew around the scene, adding that “Investigation is ongoing at the Metro Area Command in Jos.” (Daily Trust)