A suspected gangster escaped death by whiskers in the early hours of Thursday as an angry mob threatened to set him ablaze.

It was learnt that a twenty-four-year young man (names withheld) went to the Yanman Motor Park, Makurdi at about 8:30am with a five litre container allegedly containing two pistols.

New National Star checks gathered that it was a motor boy that discovered the hidden weapon during the scrutiny of the passengers and their luggage.

An eyewitness recounted that the suspect took to the heels during interrogation, but angry youths mobilised themselves and chased him.

The youths, however, apprehended the suspect, and brought him back to the park.

An insider, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed that when the weapon carrier was about to be set ablaze, an All Progressives Congress (APC) Toyota saloon car, with the emblem of a senatorial aspirant (names withheld), surfaced at the scene, forcefully took the victim and zoomed off to an unknown destination.

Onlookers stated those who whisked him away might be part of the syndicates, noting that perhaps, they may have called and briefed them of the situation at the motor park.

Efforts to obtain clarifications with the Benue Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, were futile as at the time filing this report.