An alleged cultist, popularly called Kunle Poly, has been confirmed dead by doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital after he was beaten to a pulp by a mob in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Punch correspondent gathered on Thursday that before the intervention of policemen, the mob had planned to set him on fire. They accused Kunle Poly of kidnapping four people and turning them to goats.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said Kunle Poly and two of his fleeing accomplices had gone to Abayawo-Oko, a village in the outskirt of Ilorin and allegedly kidnapped four people. He stated that villagers, who saw the suspects while abducting their victims, chased them with motorcycles.

Luck was said to have run out on the suspects when two of their car tyres burst on Temidire Street. The eyewitness said while Kunle Poly was apprehended by the mob, two of his accomplices escaped.

He added that the mob beat Kunle Poly to a pulp and was about to lynch him when he was rescued by policemen from Surulere Police Station and another team from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Okaula, who spoke through the command's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed that Kunle Poly was beaten to a pulp by the mob, adding that he was later confirmed dead by doctors at the UITH.

He said, "An alleged notorious criminal was caught by members of the public. Eight goats were found in his car. We have information that the suspect had been a notorious criminal. He is called Kunle Poly, Nobody knows his real name.

"By the time the people were trying to mete out jungle justice to him, policemen were invited and they rescued him. The vehicle and the goats in it had been taken to the police station while the suspect was rushed to the Civil Service Clinic because he sustained injuries. He was rejected at the hospital, but was later taken to the UITH where he was confirmed dead.

"On the issue of turning human beings to goats - as far as I am concerned, it is not practically possible for human beings to turn to goats. Goats were found in his (Kunle Poly) car. The allegation was that he stole those goats. As a common criminal, somebody who is known for crime, the anger of the people overtook them and they started to deal with him."

The CP stated that on Sunday, March 27, at about 6.30pm, there was information that in the Opomalu area of Ilorin, a boy, identified as Daniel, was shot.

He added that on Monday, March 28, about 3pm, suspected cultists killed a farmer, Salami Idowu, in the Adapata area. According to the CP, Kunle Poly was suspected to be among the attackers.