•A thief burnt to death
There is palpable tension in Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, where an angry mob today afternoon set ablaze a woman accused of attempting to abduct a 7-year-old boy.
•The rescued 7-year-old boy
Sources at the scene of the event said that the woman who allegedly came from Ughelli town, was caught in the act before being dragged into the street and beaten by resident into pulp, reports Daily Independent.
The source added that pleas from a few persons around for the suspect to be handed over to security agencies fell on deaf ears as the mob reportedly overpowered them and set her on fire.
It could be recalled that a few days ago, women and some residents of Agbarho Community staged a mass protest over rising reported cases of child abductions in the area. Placard-carrying protesters then appealed to the Delta State Government and security agencies to intervene, warning that community patience was wearing thin.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents Chapel on Monday, September 21, 2025 in a communique at the end of their monthly Congress condemned the rising unwholesome act of child theft in the Urhobo community, they called on government and security agencies to stem the ugly tide of children kidnapping there.
According to a resident who wants to remain anonymous, “this is the reality we are living with, our children are no longer safe here in Agbarho. We raised alarm a few days ago over increase in child theft here, now, it’s like God has intervened and this woman was caught in the act.”
The resident said that parents and guardians in Agbarho and surrounding towns have been keeping their children indoors following reports of suspected kidnappers targeting minors, adding, “fear and anger boiled over with today’s mob action.”
As at press time, security operatives were yet to arrive the scene, and it was unclear if any arrests had been made. The body of the lynched suspect was still at the scene when this report was filed.
Calls and messages sent to Superintendent of Police, Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Police Command were yet to be responded to.
