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Family Of Lynched Woman At Ipata Market Cries Out For Justice, Calls On Kwara Govt, Security Agencies
According to the family, Khadijah had been battling a severe mental illness for decades, a condition that had deeply affected her life and the lives of those around her.
Ilorin, Kwara State– The family of a woman identified as Khadijah, who was allegedly lynched to death in Kwara State after being accused of child kidnapping, has cried out to the government and security agencies to bring her killers to justice.
According to the family, Khadijah had been battling a severe mental illness for decades, a condition that had deeply affected her life and the lives of those around her.
Her sister, who spoke in tears, narrated how the deceased had suffered for years, pointing out that their parents had died while struggling to care for her.
Despite her condition, Khadijah had children who now remain without their mother.
“She was not a criminal, she was only sick. She battled with brain illness for many years. Sometimes, she would go out to beg for money just to feed herself and her children before returning home. We, her family, tried all we could to support her. It is very painful that people mistook her condition for criminality and ended her life in such a cruel manner,” the grieving sister explained.
The family strongly condemned the mob action, describing it as barbaric and unjustifiable.
They called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, President Bola Tinubu, and relevant security agencies to intervene and ensure that those behind Khadijah’s gruesome killing are arrested and prosecuted.
“We are calling on the government to come to our aid so that Khadijah will not die in vain. Those who perpetrated this evil act must be apprehended. We want justice for our sister,” the family cried out.
An elder from the family also expressed shock and anger over the incident, stressing that Khadijah was never a bad person.
He urged authorities to take decisive measures against jungle justice and mob killings, warning that if such acts go unchecked, more innocent lives would continue to be lost.
“The way and manner in which Khadijah was killed is deeply troubling. She was not a criminal. She was sick, and she needed help, not death. This is why we are appealing to the Kwara State Government and security agencies to act swiftly. Justice must be served, and the perpetrators must not go unpunished,” he said.
The family further warned that if justice is not delivered, the perpetrators of the crime would not know peace, emphasizing that the memory of Khadijah must not be forgotten.
Afrika Eyes had reported that the Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of a woman in Ilorin after she was attacked by a mob on Thursday morning, following false claims that she was a kidnapper.
Police said the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. in the Ipata area of the state capital when residents sighted the woman, who was suspected to be destitute, wandering in the community.
Misguided members of the public allegedly accused her of being a child abductor and descended on her violently.
Officers on patrol were immediately mobilized to the scene, where they rescued the victim and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin.
However, doctors later confirmed her dead due to the injuries sustained in the attack. Her remains have since been deposited in the hospital mortuary.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, described the killing as an unlawful act of jungle justice that undermines the rule of law and endangers innocent lives.
The statement read, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to bring to the attention of the general public an unfortunate incident that occurred today, 21/08/2025, at about 09:00hrs around the Ipata area of Ilorin.
“Information received that a woman, suspected to be destitute, was sighted wandering around the community; misinformed members of the public wrongly suspected her to be a kidnapper. In the ensuing circumstances, an irate mob descended on the woman, inflicting serious bodily harm.
”Upon swift mobilization, Police patrol teams raced to the scene, rescued the victim and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin, for urgent medical attention. Regrettably, the attending doctor confirmed her dead as a result of injuries sustained. Her remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while discreet investigation has commenced.”
She stated, ”The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice, which not only undermines the rule of law but also poses grave danger to innocent lives. Security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action. Rather, they worsen insecurity and erode public safety.
”The Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo psc, mnips urge members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to always report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police formation, he appeals to the good people of Kwara to partner with the Police in upholding law, order, and justice while rejecting all forms of mob violence,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.