Child Thief Suspect Lynched In Ughelli

By Musa Kutama, Calabar

Tension escalated in Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, where an angry mob on Wednesday afternoon suspected to have set ablaze, a woman accused of attempt to abduct a 7-year-old boy.

Eye witness sources at the scene of the event told our reporter on condition of anonymity that the woman who allegedly came from Ughelli town, was caught in the act before being dragged into the street and beaten by resident into pulp.

The source also added that every plea by persons around for the suspect to be handed over to security agencies fell on deaf ears as the mob reportedly overpowered them and set the suspect ablaze.

Our reporter recalls that few days ago, women and some residents of Agbarho Community staged a mass protest over rising reported cases of child abductions in the area. Placard-carrying protesters then appealed to the Delta State Government and security agencies to intervene, warning that community patience was wearing out.

According to a resident who wants to remain anonymous, “this is the reality we are living with. Our children are no longer safe here in Agbarho. We raised alarm a few days ago over increase in child theft here, now, it’s like God has intervened and this woman was caught in the act.”

The resident said that parents and guardians in Agbarho and neighbouring towns have been keeping their children indoors following reports of suspected kidnappers targeting minors, adding, “fear and anger boiled over with today’s mob action.”

Security operatives were yet to arrive the scene and no any arrests had been made. According to the source the body of the lynched suspect was still at the scene of filing this report.

Calls across to Superintendent of Police, Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Police Command were yet to be responded to.