A mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, on Saturday set a woman ablaze after accusing her of child theft, in a disturbing case of jungle justice that has triggered widespread condemnation from the police.
The Kaduna State Police Command described the incident as “barbaric and criminal,” confirming that several suspects have already been arrested while a manhunt is ongoing for others involved in the attack.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. after a distress call alerted the Divisional Police Officer in Maraban Jos that a woman was being attacked over an allegation of child theft.
Hassan said the allegation was not supported by any evidence.
He explained that operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, rescued the suspect from the angry mob and moved her to the police station for protection and investigation.
However, the situation took a deadly turn when a large crowd, said to be in the hundreds, later stormed the police facility, overwhelmed officers on duty, and forcibly removed the woman from custody.
“The Divisional Police Officer promptly led officers to rescue the woman and took her to the station for safety and investigation. Despite this, a large crowd later stormed the station, overpowered officers, forcibly removed her from custody, killed her and set her body ablaze,” the statement said.
The Command confirmed that the victim was an indigene of Maraban Jos in Maraban Jos.
Reacting, the Kaduna State Police Command condemned the act, stressing that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of suspicion or allegation.
Describing the incident as a “direct assault on the rule of law,” the Command warned that jungle justice undermines lawful investigation and endangers innocent lives.
Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, was also quoted as warning that the Command would not tolerate mob violence or attacks on police formations.
He urged residents to always report suspicious persons or incidents to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help, adding that justice must be pursued through lawful channels.
“The Command will not tolerate jungle justice, mob action or attacks on police formations and personnel. Citizens are urged to report suspicious persons or activities to the police and allow due process,” the Commissioner stated.
The police said investigations had commenced into the incident, assuring that all those involved would be arrested and prosecuted.
The development has once again drawn attention to the recurring cases of mob justice in parts of the country, despite repeated warnings by security agencies against extrajudicial killings and unlawful reprisals.
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