Police Confirm Death of Suspected Female Kidnapper in Kwara After Mob Attack
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Police Confirm Death of Suspected Female Kidnapper in Kwara After Mob Attack |
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the death of a woman mobbed in Ilorin over false kidnapping claims, warning against jungle justice.
Kwara Police Confirm Death After Mob Attack
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of a woman who was attacked by an angry mob in the Ipata area of Ilorin on Thursday morning, following claims that she was a kidnapper.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi disclosed in a statement that the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. when the woman, suspected to be destitute, was falsely accused of attempting to abduct a child.
Despite a swift response by police patrol teams, who rescued the victim and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin, doctors later confirmed her death due to the injuries sustained. Her remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary.
Police Statement on the Ilorin Mob Incident
According to the statement, misinformation led to the wrongful accusation:
- The woman was reportedly loitering in the area when residents suspected her of being a kidnapper.
- An irate crowd descended on her, inflicting serious bodily harm.
- Police teams intervened quickly, rescued her, and attempted to save her life.
Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries.
The statement further read:
“The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice, which not only undermines the rule of law but also poses grave danger to innocent lives. Security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action. Rather, they worsen insecurity and erode public safety.”
Commissioner of Police Reacts
The Kwara Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has urged residents of the state to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid taking the law into their hands.
He emphasized that:
- All suspicious persons or movements should be reported to the nearest police formation.
- Mob action is never a substitute for due process.
- Security agencies remain committed to tackling kidnapping and other forms of crime.
Rising Concerns Over Mob Justice in Kwara
This is not the first time Ilorin has witnessed mob justice tied to kidnapping claims. Barely three months ago, a man narrowly escaped lynching in the city after being accused of attempting to abduct a child. In that case, police intervened and rescued the suspect.
Eyewitnesses at Thursday’s incident told SaharaReporters that the woman was accused of trying to kidnap a child at the popular Ipata Market. Items allegedly found on her included four ATM cards and some documents, though the police are yet to confirm any link between these items and kidnapping activities.
Dangers of Misinformation and Jungle Justice
Cases like this highlight the dangers of spreading unverified information and resorting to self-help in matters of security. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), mob justice contributes to insecurity by endangering innocent lives, eroding trust in law enforcement, and fueling further violence.
Instead of taking the law into their hands, residents are advised to:
- Report all suspicious activities directly to the police.
- Avoid sharing unverified claims on social media or within communities.
- Trust due process and allow law enforcement to investigate cases.
Conclusion
The tragic death of the woman in Ilorin serves as a reminder of the dangers of mob justice and misinformation. While kidnapping remains a pressing security challenge in Nigeria, jungle justice only worsens the problem by threatening innocent lives and undermining lawful processes.
The Kwara State Police Command continues to urge residents to report suspicious movements to the nearest police station rather than resorting to violence.
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