The Kwara State Police Command has condemned an act of jungle justice meted out to a female destitute mistaken for a kidnapper in Ilorin, the state capital.
The incident occurred at the popular Ipata market on Thursday morning at about 9:00 am.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi in Ilorin on Thursday, said, “Information received that a woman, suspected to be destitute, was sighted wandering around the community; misinformed members of the public wrongly suspected her to be a kidnapper.
“In the ensuing circumstances, an irate mob descended on the woman, inflicting serious bodily harm. ”Upon swift mobilization, Police patrol teams raced to the scene, rescued the victim and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin, for urgent medical attention.
“Regrettably, the attending doctor confirmed her dead as a result of injuries sustained. Her remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while discreet investigation has commenced.” The Command condemned the act of jungle justice, which it said not only undermines the rule of law but also poses grave danger to innocent lives.
It further cautioned that security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action which rather worsen insecurity and erode public safety. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to always report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police formation.
He appealed to the people of the state to partner with the police in upholding law, order and justice while rejecting all forms of mob violence.
