Law enforcement agencies must be alive to their responsibilities
Last week, a mob in the Aseese area of Mowe, Ogun State, burnt to death three persons on the suspicion of theft. Their vehicle was also set ablaze. The quick intervention of the police saved the two other occupants of the car. In the same vein, two ladies were recently killed at Iwo, Osun State, on the mere suspicion that they were kidnappers. Across the country, mob justice is fast becoming a national pastime as people regularly take the law into their hands.
Indeed, the increasing rate of abductions in Kwara State has put destitute who wander within the capital, Ilorin, at risk as some of them fall victim of mob action on mere suspicion of being child kidnappers. Not long ago, no fewer than four suspected kidnappers who were alleged to have feigned insanity were killed in mob attacks. In all the cases, the hapless victims were beaten to coma before being burnt alive. Residents and the police differ sharply on the cu