Police condemn lynching of woman accused of child theft in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has denounced the killing of a woman by a mob in Maraban Jos, describing the incident as a grave affront to justice and the rule of law.

According to the command, the victim was accused of child theft and attacked on Saturday by residents acting on allegations that had not been verified.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer,  Mansir Hassan, said officers initially intervened after receiving a distress report.

Hassan explained that the Divisional Police Officer in Maraban Jos was alerted to the situation at about 10 a.m. and immediately mobilised personnel to the scene.

The woman was rescued from the crowd and taken into protective custody at the police station while investigations into the allegations commenced.

The police spokesman, however, said the situation later escalated when a large crowd descended on the station.

Despite efforts by officers on duty, the mob reportedly overran the facility, removed the woman from custody and subjected her to a fatal attack.

“The mob subsequently killed the woman and set her body ablaze,” the statement said.

Condemning the incident, the command described the action as both unlawful and inhumane.

It stated that the killing was “criminal, barbaric and an assault on justice”, stressing that no individual or group had the authority to determine guilt or impose punishment outside the legal process.

The police confirmed that a number of suspects had already been taken into custody in connection with the attack, while efforts were continuing to track down others involved.

The command also announced the commencement of a full-scale investigation and pledged that everyone found responsible would be prosecuted.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police,  Rabiu Muhammad, cautioned residents against resorting to jungle justice and warned that attacks on police facilities and personnel would not be tolerated.

He urged members of the public to channel complaints and suspicions through the appropriate security agencies rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Muhammad further advised residents to allow lawful investigations and judicial processes to establish whether an accused person is guilty or innocent.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s resolve to safeguard lives and property while ensuring that justice is served.