…From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan
Three suspected kidnappers missed death by the whiskers in Ibadan on Friday morning as the timely arrival of a police patrol team saved them from an irate mob in the process of setting the suspects ablaze.
It all happened along Iwo Road, in the Oyo state capital as the mob responded to the agonizing cries of the suspected kidnap victim.
Confusion enveloped the ever busy Iwo Road as the suspects were alleged to be driving their lady victim to somewhere at Egbeda area in the outskirts of Ibadan for ritual purpose, despite her agonizing cries that she wanted to alight from the vehicle having already passed her destination.
It was gathered that when the lady passenger got to where she had initially told the driver of the cab that she wanted to drop, she was ignored making her to raise an alarm which drew the attention of passersby.
The development, it was learnt, led to the youths around, to pursue the cab and eventually intercepted it at Iwo road where the angry mob joined in interrogating the occupants after the lady disclosed her ordeal.
Consequently, the suspects were beaten to pulp before they were lucky to be rescued by a patrolling police team.
Eye witness accounts disclosed that one of the suspects later confessed that the three of them were operating as a syndicate in the alleged kidnap saga.
Meanwhile, the incident has been referred to the Egbeda Division of the State Command of the Nigeria Police where it would be discreetly investigated.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state command, SP Bisi Okuwobi -Ilobana confirmed the story but advised newsmen to call back later in the day for update.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly driving the lady victim to somewhere at Egbeda area in the outskirts of Ibadan for ritual purpose.