Youths Set Ablaze Three Suspected Kidnappers In Oshogbo

At least three persons suspected to be kidnappers were on Friday burnt to death in different parts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The suspected kidnappers according impeccable sources were apprehended by youths at various locations before a mob eventually set them ablaze.

One of the suspected kidnappers was burnt to death at Ayetoro area of Osogbo, while the other two were burnt at Plantation and Igbona areas of the town.

A suspected kidnapper had on Thursday escaped being lynched by irate youths at Olaiya area of the town and it was gathered that the confession of the suspect who reportedly confessed that he had nine other colleagues in the

town prompted youths of different areas to be vigilant.

The suspect who was however beaten to pulp before he was rescued by the Police and a soldier who was on transit reportedly confessed that 10 of them came from outside the state to kidnap young children in Osogbo and its environs.

However, luck ran against him when a commercial motorcyclist discovered that the suspect who dressed like an insane

person carried a baby who was crying.

The development prompted him to inform his other colleagues who chased the suspect and eventually apprehended him at Akindeko market area where he was later handed over to the Police who came to the scene to rescue him.

It was however learnt that the angry youths moved round Osogbo and its environs in search of other kidnappers and discovered three through the efforts of members of vigilante groups in the town.

At Ayetoro area of Osogbo where a suspected kidnapper was burnt early on Friday, it was gathered that the suspect was found with a baby in a bag with him. Some drivers at the Ayetoro junction challenged the suspected kidnapper who reportedly dressed like an insane person to open his bag after which a baby was found inside it.

The discovery however prompted the youths in the area to mobilize themselves and set the suspected kidnappers ablaze. When Uhuru Times visited the scene of the incident, the suspected kidnapper had been burnt beyond recognition with policemen patrolling the area to prevent further break down of law and order.

However, it was not clear if there was actually a rescued baby, as all attempts by Uhuru Times to sight him proved abortive.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Maishanu, has condemned the trend of burning of suspects in the state, describing it as jungle justice, which he said was against the law.

He said the Police would not allow the state to be turned into a theater of crisis and would do everything to forestall further breakdown of law and order. While assuring that the Police would conduct thorough investigations of all

the cases, the Police Commissioner warned people against taking laws into their hands.

Also, the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, condemned the development and warned residents against jungle justice, saying cases of criminal activities should be reported to law enforcement agencies, instead of people taking laws into their hands.

The Governor who spoke through the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon stressed that the state government would join hands with relevant security agencies to ensure proper security of lives and property of the people of the state.

He assured the people of the state of the commitment of the present administration to peaceful co-existence and security of all and sundry.

Source: Uhuru Times