Mob Sets Woman Accused Of Child Theft Ablaze In Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has condemned the lynching of a woman accused of child theft by an angry mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, describing the act as barbaric and a grave violation of the rule of law.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on Saturday when the Divisional Police Officer in Maraban Jos received a distress call that a woman was being attacked by a mob over allegations of child theft.
Hassan said the allegation was not backed by any evidence.
He explained that the DPO immediately mobilised officers to the scene, rescued the woman from the mob and took her into protective custody at the police station pending investigation.
The statement, however, noted that the situation later escalated when hundreds of residents reportedly stormed the police station and overpowered officers on duty.
“Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer led officers to the scene, rescued the woman and moved her to the station for safety and investigation.
“Despite this, a large crowd in their hundreds later stormed and besieged the police station, overpowered officers on duty, forcibly removed the woman from custody, killed her and set her body ablaze,” the statement read.
The police identified the victim as an indigene of Maraban Jos.
Condemning the incident, the command described the action of the mob as criminal and unacceptable in a democratic society.
“The Command describes this act as barbaric, criminal and a direct assault on the rule of law. No person or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands,” Hassan stated.
He added that a comprehensive investigation had commenced and vowed that all those involved in the attack would be prosecuted.
“Several suspects have already been arrested in connection with the incident, and a manhunt is ongoing for others involved. A comprehensive investigation has commenced, and all culprits will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, was quoted as warning that the command would not tolerate jungle justice, mob violence or attacks on police formations and personnel.
He urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead report suspicious persons and activities to security agencies for proper investigation.
“The Command will not tolerate jungle justice, mob action or attacks on police formations and personnel. Citizens are urged to report suspicious persons or activities to the police and allow due process,” the CP said.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law.
The latest incident has again raised concerns over rising cases of mob justice across parts of the country, despite repeated warnings by security agencies against extrajudicial killings.
