An unidentified woman was on Wednesday lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob in Agbarho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, after she was accused of attempting to steal a seven-year-old boy.
Witnesses said the incident occurred after the child raised an alarm, claiming he did not know the woman who was holding him. When confronted by residents, the suspect reportedly failed to provide a convincing explanation on how she came to be with the boy.
The mob descended on her, beating her severely before setting her on fire. The child was rescued unhurt.
The gruesome incident comes amid rising tension in Agbarho over recent cases of missing children, which had prompted a community protest days earlier.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said he had yet to receive a full briefing on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
