A woman narrowly escaped being lynched in Port Harcourt after an angry mob attacked her over a false allegation of child theft, raising fresh concerns over the persistence of jungle justice in Rivers State.
Incident Details
The victim, Maria Kobara, was rescued by operatives of the Azikiwe Police Division on Saturday at Owo Street, Mile 2, Diobu, after residents accused her of attempting to abduct a 12-year-old girl. Police investigations later established that the allegation was unfounded, as the child's mother had authorised Kobara to take her daughter to a church branch on Eagle Island.
Eyewitness Account
Eyewitnesses said the incident began when a woman questioned Kobara about her relationship with the child. Although she repeatedly explained that she had the mother's permission, suspicion quickly spread and attracted a crowd. Before efforts could be made to verify her claims, some residents allegedly descended on her, accusing her of being a child trafficker.
“It all happened very fast,” an eyewitness, Nelson Ogiriya, said. “People refused to listen to explanations and immediately concluded she was a child thief. They started beating her before the police intervened.”
Police Response
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Karbolo Blessing, said officers arrived promptly and rescued the woman from the mob. According to her, a relative of the child's father had raised an alarm, attracting passers-by and residents who joined in attacking the woman without verifying the facts.
“The mob ignored every explanation offered by the woman and proceeded to assault her,” she said. “When all parties were brought to the station, the child's mother confirmed that she had indeed authorised the woman to take her daughter to church.”
Police Condemnation
The police spokesperson condemned the incident, describing it as a disturbing example of the dangers of taking the law into one's hands. She urged residents to remain vigilant but warned that suspicion alone does not justify violence against individuals.
“The command strongly condemns mob action and jungle justice. Such acts will not be tolerated, and anyone found participating in unlawful attacks on suspects will be prosecuted,” she said.
Broader Concerns
The incident has renewed concerns over the prevalence of mob justice in parts of the state, where suspected offenders are often attacked before investigations are carried out. Police advised members of the public to report suspicious activities to security agencies and allow law enforcement authorities to handle investigations, warning that innocent lives could be lost when unverified allegations trigger public outrage.
