Family of lynched woman calls out Kwara govt to demand justice
Family of woman mistaken for kidnapper
Following the gruesome killing of destitute woman identified as Khadijah, mistaken for kidnapper by angry mob at Ipata Market, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the family of the deceased as cried out for help from the state government and security agencies to demand justice.
In a viral video shared online, the relatives claimed that the deceased battled severe mental illness for decades, leaving her vulnerable and misunderstood.
While describing the killing as “barbaric and unjustifiable,” they stressed that “She was not a criminal, she was only sick.”
According to her grieving sister, “Khadijah 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 sister further explained that their parents had died while struggling to care for Khadijah and lamented that her children are now left without a mother. “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,” she cried out.
Another family memeber, who also condemned the gruesome killing, said, “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.
He also warned that if jungle justice continues unchecked, more innocent lives would be lost.
It would be recalled that the Kwara State Police Command on Thursday night, confirmed the incident, which occurred around 9:00 a.m in themorning.
Police said the woman, suspected to be destitute, was wrongly accused of being a kidnapper before she was attacked by a mob.
According to a statement by the police spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the woman, whom it described as a destitute, died at the General Hospital, Ilorin, where she was rushed to for medical attention.
The statement read: “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to bring to the attention of the general public an unfortunate incident that occurred today (Thursday) 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 mobilisation, 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.
”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 urges 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.”
