Morogoro residents have been left in shock following two separate and tragic incidents involving students one killed by mob violence and another surviving a suicide attempt prompting renewed calls for community restraint and stronger cooperation with law-enforcement agencies.
Eighteen-year-old Valerian Nicholas, a Form Four student at Mgulasi Secondary School, died after he was attacked by an angry mob that accused him of attempting to steal a mobile phone.
The incident occurred in the Chakabovu area of Chamwino Ward in Morogoro Municipality.
Morogoro Regional Police Commander, SACP Alex Mkama, confirmed the incident, saying the student was allegedly involved in an attempted robbery involving a motorcycle commonly known as kishandu.
“Residents descended on him and assaulted him severely. He later died from multiple injuries sustained during the attack,” he said.
Valerian had been expected to join his classmates for the national Form Four examinations that began on Monday. His alleged accomplice managed to escape and is still being hunted by police.
Commander Mkama strongly condemned the killing, warning that mob justice undermines the rule of law and risks innocent lives. He urged youth to avoid criminal behaviour and instead pursue lawful income-generating activities.
In a separate incident, Goodluck Charles Jactad, a 26-year-old student at the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), survived a suicide attempt on the night of November 16 after slashing his neck with a sharp object in the Msamvu area.
He was rushed to the Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment under police supervision as investigations seek to uncover the motives behind the attempt.
Police are also handling another case after arresting Shiwa Juma Malisha, 29, a resident of Biro–Malinyi, for allegedly killing Masanja Manzegeya Zengo, 46, in the Mlole area of Misesege on the night of November 15.
Commander Mkama appealed to the public to remain calm, cooperate with security organs, and refrain from resorting to violence, noting that intensified operations against crime are ongoing across the region.
