Chaos in Ilorin market as suspected kidnapper escapes mob justice

There was chaos at the popular Ipata Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday morning when a suspected female kidnapper was nearly lynched by an irate mob.

According to eyewitnesses, the woman was accused of attempting to abduct a child within the busy marketplace. Traders and residents swiftly raised alarm, surrounding the suspect before beating her up. The situation almost turned fatal before security operatives arrived and rescued her from the enraged crowd.

Sources at the scene alleged that items recovered from the woman included four ATM cards and several documents, although the exact details of these items have not yet been officially confirmed.

The incident has stirred tension in the area, as it comes barely three months after a man narrowly escaped lynching in Ilorin when he was accused of attempting to kidnap a child.

On that occasion, police intervened and rescued the suspect from the mob.

As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on Thursday’s development.

On May 17, 2015, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a man suspected of attempting to abduct a child in Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement issued, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the suspect was arrested on Friday, May 16, at about 7:00 p.m. by a joint patrol team comprising police operatives and community vigilante members.

According to the police, the man, who claimed to be from Osun State, was rescued from an angry mob that accused him of trying to kidnap a child. The crowd was reportedly on the verge of lynching him before security operatives intervened.

The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.