A middle-aged woman was on Friday lynched and set ablaze by irate mob at Emir’s road, near Opo-Malu junction, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. It was gathered that the mother of the baby was alighting from a motorcycle and had asked the woman to assist her hold the baby. But surprisingly the suspected kidnapper was alleged to have bolted away with the baby.The mother of the baby raised the alarm which attracted passersby and neighbours and they chased the fleeing suspect.
The mob caught up with her, stripped her unclad and beat her mercilessly before setting her ablaze.The incident was said to have resulted in pandemonium as panic-stricken residents, shop owners, commuters and pedestrians fled in different directions.
Our correspondent gathered that in the ensuing confusion, some motorists near the area abandoned their vehicles and took to their heels, while others made a detour to avoid being implicated. Also some confused passersby were said to have taken refuge in nearby residential buildings. Armed policemen from a Division of the state Police Command were quickly deployed to the troubled area. They consequently restored normalcy. A source who pleaded anonymity told journalists that they were shocked when the suspect ran away with the baby.
He said, “A nursing mother who was cuddling a baby was alighting from okada (motorcycle) and asked the female kidnapper to help her hold her baby. Before we knew what was happening, the woman fled with the toddler and people caught her. She was giving the beating of her life.When they discovered that the woman was unperturbed, they poured kerosene on her and set ablaze at the scene.Immediately the policemen arrived the scene, they started shooting and everybody scampered to safety.The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ambrose Aisabor, confirmed the incident and confirmed the arrest of some suspects.
Source: Punch