How Misinformation Led To Death Of Destitute Labeled Kidnapper – Police
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of a woman attacked by a mob in Ilorin, the state capital, following claims that she was a kidnapper.
Police spokesperson in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement said the incident occurred on Thursday, 21 August, around 9:00 a.m. in the Ipata area of Ilorin.
Earlier reports had it that a suspected female kidnapper was nearly beaten to death by an angry mob at the popular Ipata Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, Thursday morning after she was accused of attempting to abduct a child.
According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the woman, suspected to be destitute, was seen loitering in the community when residents, acting on misinformation, accused her of being a child kidnapper. Then an irate crowd descended on her and inflicted severe injuries.
Police patrol teams that were quickly mobilised to the scene rescued the victim, and rushed her to the General Hospital in Ilorin, where, however, doctors confirmed her death due to the injuries sustained. Her body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary.
“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”, the spokesman stated.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to always report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police formation.
