A middle-aged man was set ablaze yesterday [May 7] at Adegbola Junction in Akure, Ondo State. The man, who was suspected to be mentally-ill, could not explain why he was in the company of two children.
Some youths concluded that he was a kidnapper and set him ablaze. The incident occurred around 6pm.
Also yesterday, two suspected kidnappers were rescued from mobs in Akure. At Owode-Okegan, a woman in her 60s, allegedly disguised as a beggar, was accused of being a kidnapper.
It was learnt that out of curiosity, some youths accosted her and on interrogation discovered that she was allegedly pursuing a school girl. Within minutes, a crowd had gathered. The woman allegedly confessed that she and 14 others were sent out to kidnap people by an unnamed person. Various denominations of money, a sponge, black soap, white sheets containing Yoruba incantations, traditional rings and a white rosary were found on her. The woman, who was wearing Iro and Buba of lace material, was stripped naked and beaten up.
The woman, who had tribal marks on her cheeks, claimed to be a trader at Oja Timi in Ede.
Police spokesman Wole Ogodo warned Nigerians against jungle justice, adding, “The suspect’s family informed us that the woman is insane and fled from where she was receiving treatment”.
Also yesterday, a man, Owolanke Oladimeji (32), was mistakenly identified as a kidnapper. But for the intervention of the police, he would have been killed by a mob. It was learnt that Oladimeji, who is said to be mentally ill, wandered off a traditional healing centre about two weeks ago and had been roaming the streets.
About 7am yesterday, some youths at Isolo suspected that he might be a kidnapper and started beating him. They were about to set him ablaze when policemen intervened. Oladimeji’s wife, Ola, and some of his relatives later came to “A” Division Police Station to identify him and informed the police about his health.
- The NATION
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