Panic erupted at the popular Ipata Market in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Thursday when traders and residents apprehended a woman suspected of attempting to abduct a child.
The suspect, identified as Khadijah from Ile Lase, Oke-Apomu, was reportedly intercepted around 10:25 a.m. after her suspicious movements drew the attention of people within the market. Eyewitnesses said the woman was behaving strangely before she was confronted and subsequently searched.
During the search, four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards were allegedly found in her possession, raising further suspicion among the crowd. Her mobile phone was also smashed by angry youths who accused her of being part of a wider kidnap syndicate.
The incident quickly attracted a large gathering of traders and passersby, some of whom demanded that she be handed over to security operatives while others pressed for instant mob justice. The growing tension prompted the swift intervention of security agents, who arrived at the scene to restore order and disperse the crowd before whisking the suspect away for interrogation.
As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether Khadijah acted alone or had accomplices. Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to determine the motive behind her presence at the market and the ownership of the ATM cards found on her.
Meanwhile, community leaders in the area have appealed for calm, cautioning residents against taking the law into their own hands. They urged traders to remain vigilant, stressing the importance of promptly reporting suspicious individuals to the police.
The incident has reignited concerns about rising cases of attempted child abductions in parts of the state, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify surveillance in major markets and public spaces.
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