Tragedy struck in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, when a police officer and a suspect lost their lives following mob action triggered by a false alarm.

The deceased officer, Inspector Lasare Jeremiah, was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Plateau State Police Command. He was attacked by a mob in Nyakala community after a suspect he arrested, identified as Audu Abdullahi, falsely accused him of being a motorcycle thief.

According to reports, Jeremiah was severely beaten and later died at Cottage Hospital in Kisalloi, Bassa. The suspect, Abdullahi, was also lynched by the mob after they discovered the truth. He later died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alabo Alfred, explained that detectives had been investigating a petition against Abdullahi.

“On September 10, 2025, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) were investigating a petition against one Audu Abdullahi, a resident of Kishika Village, Bassa. During the investigation, the detectives spotted the suspect riding a motorcycle along Binchi Village and trailed him to Nyakala Village, where they intercepted him.

“However, the suspect raised a false alarm, claiming the officers were motorcycle thieves, which led to a mob attacking one of our officers, Inspector Lasare Jeremiah. When the mob realised their mistake, they turned on the suspect. Both victims were rushed to hospital, where the inspector sadly passed away, and the suspect later died from his injuries,” Alfred said.

The police spokesperson confirmed that three people have been arrested in connection with the mob attack, adding that the State CID in Jos has taken over the investigation.

He further noted that the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, expressed grief over the incident and warned residents against taking laws into their hands.