Mob set ablaze female suspected kidnapper in Ilorin

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.
Our correspondent gathered that 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
naked 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.