A tricycle operator was killed by an angry mob in the Okaka area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, after he allegedly stabbed a passenger to death over N50 dispute.
The incident occurred at the Saptex junction of the Mbiama–Yenagoa road around 5 pm Wednesday, causing gridlock and panic in the area as people ran helter-skelter when the mob moved towards the Amarata axis.
The tricycle rider, who hailed from the Northern part of Nigeria, reportedly stabbed the young man in his lower abdomen and tried to flee but was caught by the mob. When they discovered that the victim had died, they beat the tricycle rider to death and set his body on fire.
A statement issued by the command's spokesman, Asinim Butswat, condemned the tricycle operator's actions and called on the community to remain calm.
He said the command had deployed an anti-riot squad to restore calm as youths were mobilising to attack Northerners in the state capital.