Three suspected kidnappers burnt in Osogbo

 From the information reaching us this morning it has been confirmed that at least three people suspected to be kidnappers were yesterday burnt to death in different parts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The suspected kidnappers, according to 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 in the Ayetoro area of Osogbo by a mob, while the other two were burnt in the Plantation and Igbona areas of the town.

A suspected kidnapper had on Thursday escaped being lynched by irate youths in the 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 a pulp before he was rescued by the Police and a soldier who was in transit, reportedly confessed that 10 of them came from outside the state to kidnap young children inOsogbo and its environs.

However, luck ran against him when a commercial motorcyclist 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 later apprehended the  three suspected kidnappers.

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.

Saturday Sun 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 Saturday Sun visited the scene of the incident, the suspected kidnapper had been burnt beyond recognition and Police had stormed the area to prevent further breakdown 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.

It was gathered that a similar situation occurred in the Plantation and Igbona areas of the town where youths burnt those suspected to have kidnapped babies in the area to death.

Meanwhile, 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 theatre of crisis and would do everything to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

While assuring that the Police would conduct thorough investigations into all the cases, the Police Commissioner warned people against taking laws into their own hands.

He assured that the Police are on top of the situation in the state and would not allow it to degenerate.

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

The governor, who spoke through the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, stressed that the state government would join hands with relevant security agencies to ensure proper security of lives and property of the people.

He assured the people of the commitment of the present administration to peaceful co-existence and security of all and sundry.