Tensions ran dangerously high in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday afternoon after a 25-year-old man was nearly lynched by an angry crowd following allegations that he had attempted to sexually assault a secondary school student.
The incident took place around 3:00 p.m. on May 20, 2026, when the suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Sani, allegedly lured a student of Government Secondary School Bassa at a hotel in the Agyingi area of the LGA. News of the alleged assault spread quickly through the community, and an enraged mob wasted no time gathering and taking matters into their own hands.
By the time troops from Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace arrived on the scene, the situation had already escalated significantly. The suspect had been overpowered and was at serious risk of being set ablaze before the soldiers stepped in.
The troops acted swiftly, pulling Abdulazeez Sani from the mob and restoring calm to the area before the situation could spiral further out of control.
He was subsequently handed over to the Keystone Division in Bassa, where he is currently being held for investigation and further action.
Authorities have confirmed that the timely military intervention prevented what could have become a much larger and more violent incident in the community.