In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, there is a growing trend of mob action on persons suspected to be kidnappers. This has prompted the state police command to read a riot act to residents.

Sunday Trust learnt that within five days, no fewer than three suspected female kidnappers were lynched by irate mobs. They were accused of kidnapping children in different parts of the state capital. Upon arrest, the suspects were stripped naked, beaten to a pulp and set ablaze. Some were, however, rescued by the police.

Residents who spoke to Sunday Trust said the people resorted to jungle justice because they lack confidence in the police who they accused of always setting suspected kidnappers and other criminals free when handed over to them. The police, however, denied the allegation and called on the residents to have confidence in them, saying their job is to maintain peace and protect lives and property.

The first incident happened on April 11, 2014 at Emir Market when a middle-aged woman was accused of snatching a kid from the back of his mother. The suspect was caught, rounded up by youths, stripped and beaten with sharp objects. It was gathered that the angry youths were parading the suspect for people to see as they took her from Emir Market towards the popular Emir Road before they eventually poured petrol on her and set her ablaze. 

It was learnt that the female suspect was set ablaze when the mob heard that policemen were approaching. The incident took place two days after two other suspects escaped lynching at Ipata Market.

The police confirmed the lynching, saying that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.

However, the arrest did not deter residents from meting out similar treatment to other suspects as two suspected kidnappers were lynched the following week, specifically on Tuesday and Wednesday at Oyun bridge, along Ilorin-Jebba expressway.  

The latest incident, according to eyewitnesses, occurred about 6.30 pm. The suspect was said to have been dragged to a spot on the bridge where she was lynched by the mob, bringing to three, the number of suspects who have suffered brutal fate between last Friday and Wednesday evening.

One of the women burnt at Oyun bridge was said to have ‘confessed’ to have succeeded in kidnapping five children from the same area and was about taking the sixth when nemesis allegedly caught up on her.

Irked by the growing incidents of jungle justice, Commissioner of Police, Kwara State command, Mr. Ambrose Aisabo issued a stern warning to residents to desist from such unguarded action.

A statement by the command’s public relations officer, Mr. Okasanmi Ajayi, reads, “The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State command, Ambrose Aisabor wishes to appeal, and at the same time warn members of the public who have found the habit of taking the law into their hands and meting jungle justice on people suspected to be kidnappers, who are in most cases, wrongfully so suspected, to stop the irresponsible act immediately.

“Henceforth, the command will not shirk in its responsibility to deal with any individual or group of people caught in such act of unbridled lawlessness. Men and women of unsound minds are not necessarily agents of ritual killers; so be warned. 

“For the purpose of emphasis, any suspected person is to be reported or handed over to the police if arrested.”

However, investigation by Sunday Trust indicate that the command has sent out its undercover operatives with a view to curbing the trend. 

A police source said, “The Commissioner of Police has dispatched a team of undercover agents who are given the mandate to stop these rampant acts responsibly. It is our hope that members of the public would cooperate with the police and stop taking the laws into their hands by lynching people on mere suspicions.”

The state government also appealed to residents to stop the habit of lynching suspected kidnappers. Our correspondent gathered that one of the measures government is adopting to protect mentally deranged people from being lynched upon suspicion is to get them out of the streets and major roads of Ilorin and rehabilitate them through the Ministry of Social Development.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Prince Tunji Moronfoye confirmed this to our correspondent, saying the state government has consistently rehabilitated the destitute and empowered them, adding, however, that jungle justice is inhumane.

 “The state government frowns majorly at mob action. We do not feel that mob action is correct. It is inhumane. You could have probably killed an innocent person. We believe in the rule of law. 

“Let the suspect be arrested, arraigned before a judge, evidences would be presented, and then the person would be convicted by a court of law. Not that people should take the law into their own hands and start killing people. At that point we are not different from animals,” he added.