Mob sets man ablaze for ‘stealing baby’ in Niger state

A mob on Friday set a man ablaze for allegedly stealing a baby in Lapai LGA of Niger state.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, said the man’s identity was yet to be confirmed.

Abiodun said the man had allegedly stolen the baby near a cemetery in the area, adding that the angry mob beat him to a coma before setting him ablaze.

“On 18/08/2023 at about 113Ohrs, based on information received that an unidentified person was accused of stealing a baby around the burial ground area of Lapai,” the statement reads.

“On the receipt of the information, DPO Lapai mobilised and led a patrol team to the scene, but before the police arrived at the scene, irate mob armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons had beaten the suspect to a coma and set him ablaze.

“Efforts were made to put off the fire and rescue him, unfortunately, he was burnt beyond recognition, while the body was later evacuated to general hospital Lapai.”

The spokesperson said Ogundele Ayodeji, commissioner of police in the state, has directed a thorough investigation into the incident to arrest the perpetrators of the crime.

He said the commissioner of police warned citizens against taking laws into their hands and urged them always to report such incidences to the police for legal intervention.