A WOMAN was reportedly lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following allegations that she attempted to steal children.
The incident, which sparked tension across the community, was reportedly triggered by concerns among residents over what they described as recurring rumours of child theft in the area.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the victim, said to be a married woman and mother, was on her way to attend an Islamic lecture when some youths accused her of attempting to steal children.
Witnesses said the accusation quickly spread through the community, attracting a large crowd that descended on the woman and assaulted her before security personnel intervened.
She was subsequently taken to a nearby police post for protection and further investigation.
However, the situation later deteriorated as hundreds of youths reportedly converged on the police facility, demanding that the woman be handed over to them.
Residents said the crowd, angered by the rumours of child theft in the area, refused to disperse despite efforts by security operatives to calm the situation.
The mob eventually overpowered security personnel, forcibly removed the woman from custody and set her ablaze.
Sources said police officers fired warning shots in an attempt to restore order. During the unrest, one youth was reportedly shot while several others sustained injuries.
A resident who spoke to our correspondent expressed shock over the development, insisting that the woman was merely heading to an Islamic school when she was accused.
“It is disturbing that an allegation alone could lead to such a tragedy. She was a married woman with children and was reportedly going for Islamic lessons when she was accused.
“Even after she was taken to the police station, the mob still went there, removed her from custody and burnt her,” he said.
The resident added that the woman’s body was still at the scene when he arrived at about 1 p.m.
“This was a case that should have been investigated by the police. Instead, people took the law into their own hands,” he added.
Another youth in the community said residents had become increasingly worried over rumours of child theft, a development he said fuelled public anger and suspicion.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the woman was attacked over what he described as “fictitious allegations of child stealing.”
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maraban Jos received a distress call at about 10 a.m. that a woman was being attacked by a mob over allegations of child theft without any evidence.
“The DPO swiftly led officers to the scene, rescued the woman and moved her to the station for safety and investigation. Despite this, a large crowd later stormed and besieged the police station, overpowered officers on duty, forcibly removed the woman from custody, killed her and set her body ablaze,” Hassan said.
The police described the act as “barbaric, criminal and a direct assault on the rule of law.”
Hassan disclosed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, while a manhunt was ongoing for other perpetrators.
“A comprehensive investigation has commenced and all culprits will face the full weight of the law,” he said.