JUNGLE JUSTICE: Three suspected kidnappers burnt to death in Osun

Three suspected kidnappers were yesterday burnt to death in different parts of Osogbo, the Osun state capital. The suspected kidnappers according impeccable sources were apprehended by youths at the various locations before a mob eventually set them ablaze.


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

A suspected kidnapper had earlier 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 were on transit reportedly confessed that the 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 popularly called Okada rider discovered that the suspect who dressed like an insane person carried a baby who was crying on his hands.

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 to search for other kidnappers who could be in different parts of the town and discovered three through the efforts of members of Vigilante group in the area.

At Ayetoro area of Osogbo where a suspected kidnapper was burnt early yesterday, it was gathered that the suspected kidnapper was found with a baby inside a bag he carried.

It was gathered that some drivers at the Ayetoro junction challenged the suspected kidnapper who reportedly dressed like an insane person to open the bag he carried 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 our source visited the scene of the incident, the suspected kidnapper had been burnt beyond recognition and Police had stormed the area to prevent further break down of law and order.

However, it was not certain whether or not the rescued kidnapped baby was alive, as all attempts to see him proved abortive.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Maishanu has condemned the trend of burning of suspects in the state, describing it as jungle judgment 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 own hands.

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