The Benue State Governor’s Special Adviser on Internal Security, Dr. Joseph Har, rescued an alleged phone theft suspect from a mob attack in the High-Level area of Makurdi on Tuesday.

The suspect, identified only as David, was reportedly caught after allegedly stealing a mobile phone and N200 from a salon on Ugbokolo Street. He was severely beaten by an angry crowd before Har intervened and prevented the situation from turning fatal.

During questioning, David admitted to the alleged theft and pleaded for mercy. He said he works as a schoolteacher in Gboko but travelled to Makurdi during the school holiday in search of temporary work at the Wurukum flyover construction site.

According to him, he was unable to secure employment and became stranded without money for food or transport back home.

Moved by his account, Har contacted the General Manager of Benue Links, Comrade Alexander Fanafa. The two officials counselled the suspect, who expressed remorse and pledged not to engage in criminal activity again.

In what they described as a humanitarian gesture, Har and Fanafa provided David with financial assistance and arranged his transportation back to Gboko.

The intervention also underscored the dangers of mob justice, which remains a recurring concern in parts of the country despite repeated warnings from security agencies against taking the law into one’s own hands.