A woman narrowly escaped being lynched in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after an angry mob attacked her over a false allegation of child stealing.
The victim, Maria Kobara, was rescued by operatives of the Azikiwe Police Division on Saturday, June 13, 2026 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.
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. People refused to listen to explanations and immediately concluded she was a child thief. They started beating her before the police intervened,” an eyewitness, Nelson Ogiriya, said.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Karbolo Blessing, who confirmed the incident said officers arrived promptly and rescued the woman from the mob.
According to the PPRO, 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.”
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.
She 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.
