Woman mistaken for child kidnapper dies after mob attack

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that a woman brutally beaten by a mob in Ilorin on Thursday has died, dismissing claims that she was a child kidnapper.

Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said in a statement that the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. in the Ipata area of the state capital, where the victim, believed to be destitute, was wrongly accused by residents of attempting to abduct a child.

According to the statement, an angry crowd pounced on the woman, inflicting severe injuries before police patrol teams arrived. Officers rushed her to the General Hospital in Ilorin, but doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Her remains have been placed in the hospital mortuary.

“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to bring to the attention of the general public an unfortunate incident that occurred today, 21/08/2025, at about 09:00hrs around the Ipata area of Ilorin.

“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 mobilisation, 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 Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice, which not only undermines the rule of law but also poses grave danger to innocent lives. Security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action. Rather, they worsen insecurity and erode public safety,” the statement read.

Ejire-Adeyemi noted that Commissioner of Police CP Adekimi Ojo has appealed to residents to remain calm, shun mob attacks and promptly report suspicious persons to the nearest police formation.

Earlier reports had suggested the woman was a suspected child kidnapper apprehended at Ipata Market.

This is the second mob-related incident in Ilorin in recent months. Three months ago, police rescued a man accused of attempting to abduct a child from being lynched by an angry crowd.