Female Suspected Kidnapper Lynched in Kwara, Dies from Injuries

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of a woman who was attacked by a mob on Thursday morning in Ilorin, following allegations that she was a kidnapper.

Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Thursday, said the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. in the Ipata area of Ilorin.

Ejire-Adeyemi explained that the woman, suspected to be destitute, was loitering in the community when residents, acting on misinformation, accused her of attempting to abduct a child.

An angry crowd assaulted her, inflicting severe injuries. Police patrol teams were quickly dispatched, rescued the victim, and rushed her to the General Hospital in Ilorin.

Doctors, however, confirmed her death as a result of the injuries sustained, and her body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

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

“A woman, suspected to be destitute, was sighted wandering in the community. Misinformed members of the public wrongly suspected her to be a kidnapper. In the ensuing confusion, an irate mob descended on her, inflicting serious bodily harm.

“Police patrol teams swiftly mobilised to the scene, rescued the victim, and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin, for urgent medical attention. Sadly, the attending doctor confirmed her dead as a result of the injuries. Her remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while discreet investigation is ongoing.

“The Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice, which undermines the rule of law and poses grave danger to innocent lives. Security challenges cannot be solved through mob action, which only worsens insecurity and erodes public safety.”

Ejire-Adeyemi added that Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest police formation.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the woman was nearly lynched by a mob at the popular Ipata Market after being accused of attempting to kidnap a child.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that items allegedly recovered from her included four ATM cards and some documents.

The incident comes barely three months after a man narrowly escaped being lynched in Ilorin when accused of attempting to kidnap a child, before police intervened to save him.