As an indication that community patience is diminishing, residents of the Agbarho town in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, on Wednesday, set ablaze a woman accused of attempting to steal a seven-year-old boy.
Eyewitnesses said the woman, allegedly from Ughelli town, was caught in the act before being dragged into the street and beaten by an angry mob.
Despite pleas from a few voices for the suspect to be handed over to security agencies, the mob reportedly overpowered them and set her on fire as fear and anger boiled over in the mob action.
The incident comes just days after residents of Ughelli staged a mass protest over a wave of child abductions in the area. Placard-carrying protesters had appealed to the state government and security agencies to intervene.
“This is the reality we are living in; our children are no longer safe. We raised an alarm a few days ago, and now this woman was caught,” a resident who does not want his name printed said.
Parents in Agbarho and surrounding towns have been keeping their children indoors following reports of suspected kidnappers targeting minors.
As at press time, security operatives had yet to remove the remains of the lynched suspect when this report was filed.
When asked if any arrests had been made, the police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said he would confirm.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ughelli North local government area, Barr. Jaro Egbo has
announced a ₦5 million reward for information leading to the recovery of missing children in the Agbarho axis of the council.
Egbo declared while hosting the Special Adviser to the Governor on Intelligence Gathering and Boundary Matters, Apostle Sunny Jero, who paid him a working visit with his team.
Welcoming the delegation, he pushed for the recovery of the missing children in Agbarho, appealing for support from security agencies and the public and assured that every measure would be taken to ensure their safe return.
He said he had to reinforce the state and local government partnership to strengthen peace and security across Delta state.
“The lives of our people remain my utmost priority, and I will not relent until every available measure is exhausted to secure the return of these children,” Egbo declared.
Apostle Sunny Jero, in his response, stressed the need for collaboration among council chairmen, Councillors, and security agencies to prevent crises.
