From ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, Warri
Panic has gripped Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, where an angry mob on Wednesday set ablaze a woman accused of attempting to steal a 7-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 residents. 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.
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, warning that community patience was wearing thin.
“This is the reality we are living in our children are no longer safe. We raised alarm a few days ago, and now this woman was caught,” a resident who do not want his name print said.
Parents in Agbarho and surrounding towns have been keeping their children indoors following reports of suspected kidnappers targeting minors. Fear and anger boiled over with today’s mob action.
As at press time, security operatives were yet to arrive the scene, and it was unclear if any arrests had been made. The body of the lynched suspect was still at the scene when this report was filed.
Details later……
