Kwara: How Mob Lynched Mentally Ill Woman, Attacked Another Over Alleged Kidnapping in Ilorin

• A mentally ill woman named Khadijah was subjected to mob lynching in Ipata Market, Ilorin, over false allegations of child kidnapping
• Eyewitness recounted how market mobs apprehended her over an unconfirmed suspicion, which led to her death
• Demanding justice, Khadijah's family described her killing as "barbaric and unjustifiable," and narrated her long battle with mental illness

Ilorin, Kwara state - There was panic in the Ipata area of Ilorin after a mentally ill woman identified as Khadijah was lynched by a mob in the early hours of Thursday, August 21, over false allegations of child kidnapping.

The incident, which took place inside Ipata Market, sparked outrage among residents, human rights advocates, and the deceased’s family members, who described her killing as “barbaric and unjustifiable.”

Eyewitness recounts how the incident unfolded

Speaking to Legit.ng, an eyewitness and trader at the market, Alhaji Nuraini Olowo, narrated how the unfortunate incident unfolded.

Read also

Tragedy as lady dies after arriving boyfriend’s house

“I was in my shop when the alarm was raised. People started shouting, ‘child kidnapper, arrest her!’ Youths in the market and passersby rushed to the scene,” he said.

According to him, the deceased, who had been roaming around the market, was accused of luring children suspiciously. When confronted, some people allegedly found multiple ATM cards in her possession and demanded explanations she could not give.

“This was what made people suspect her wrongly. The Imam of the mosque in the market tried to intervene to stop the beating, but the mob was too large. Elders in the market quickly called the police, but unfortunately, she died later at the hospital,” Olowo explained.

Kwara: Khadijah’s family demands Justice

Khadijah’s family, who later spoke in a video obtained by Legit.ng, described her as a sick woman who had been battling severe mental illness for decades.

Read also

Kwara: How dismembered body of pregnant woman was discovered in Ilorin

A male relative, who spoke as the head of the family, pleaded with authorities to ensure justice is served.

“The Kwara Government should please intervene in Khadijah’s matter. It is saddening our hearts. Khadijah was not a bad person. If this injustice goes unpunished, it will set a bad precedent in the state,” he said.

Her sister, weeping profusely, also explained that Khadijah’s illness had been a lifelong battle.

“She was not a criminal; she was only sick. She battled with a brain illness for many years. Our parents died while struggling to take care of her. Sometimes she would go out to beg for money just to feed herself and her children. It is painful that people mistook her condition for criminality and ended her life in such a cruel manner,” she lamented.

The family stressed that Khadijah left behind children who are now orphans, adding that their loss should serve as a wake-up call for society to end mob justice.

Read also

Tragedy as 16-year-old girl drowns in flood while rushing home to check SSCE results

Another mob attack in Ilorin

In a disturbing twist, another mob action occurred the same day in Ile-Film, Emir’s Road, Ilorin, where a man was accused of attempted kidnapping.

A video seen by Legit.ng showed the suspect severely beaten by angry residents before police operatives from Oja Oba Division intervened and rescued him.

He is reportedly receiving medical treatment, according to an eyewitness who spoke to Legit.ng.

Police react, condemn jungle justice

The Kwara state police command confirmed Khadijah’s death in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

According to the statement, the woman was sighted wandering around Ipata Market when members of the public wrongly suspected her of being a kidnapper.

“An irate mob descended on the woman, inflicting serious injuries. Police patrol teams raced to the scene, rescued the victim, and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin. Sadly, doctors confirmed her death due to the injuries sustained,” the police said.

Read also

Tragedy as mob kills woman mistaken for kidnapper in APC-controlled state

The command strongly condemned the mob action, stressing that jungle justice undermines the rule of law and endangers innocent lives.

“Security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action. Rather, they worsen insecurity and erode public safety,” the statement added.

Lawyer condemns jungle justice

A Kwara-based lawyer, Sulaiman Jubril Hammed, Esq., also condemned the brutal act, stressing that mob killings have no place in a society governed by law.

In a statement shared on Friday, he said, “Jungle justice is only pleasant if the victims beaten or lynched are not our relatives. Here is a woman suspected of kidnapping who was apprehended and subjected to mob action yesterday at Ipata Market, Ilorin, here in Kwara State.

“I wonder why people fail to understand that no matter the gravity of suspicion, the Nigerian Constitution and our criminal laws make it clear that every individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Read also

Lagos: Tears, commotion as prominent skit maker killed

“Beyond the law, we must remember that suspects are mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers; they are human beings whose dignity must be preserved until lawful conviction,” the lawyer added.

Bandits abduct seven in fresh Kwara attack

Legit.ng previously reported how fear grips communities in Kwara North as terrorists unleashed fresh assaults, killing and abducting residents despite the recent arrest of their notorious leader, Mahmud Mohammed Usman, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and his deputy, Mallam Mamuda.

Legit.ng gathered that the fresh attack happened on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18, as residents in Patigi and Ifelodun local government area narrated how the bandits killed and abducted community members.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng