Man Escapes Mob Lynching Over Alleged Child Abduction

The police in Abuja have rescued a man from an angry mob after he was allegedly caught attempting to abduct a five-year-old girl in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspect, identified as Bashir Usman, was reportedly attacked by the mob on Sunday, October 4, 2026, after he was accused of attempting to abduct the child in front of her residence in Angwan Lado, Kuje.

The FCT Police Command said it received a distress call at about 2:46pm reporting that an unidentified man was being assaulted by a mob over the alleged attempted abduction.

Police operatives from the Kuje Division were immediately deployed to the scene and rescued Usman from the mob, which was reportedly preparing to lynch him.

The suspect was subsequently taken into protective custody as police commenced an investigation into the alleged attempted abduction.

The Command said investigators were expanding the probe to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether Usman had accomplices or was linked to other activities.

The incident has again raised concerns over mob action and the growing tendency of members of the public to punish suspected criminals before they are properly investigated and prosecuted.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, condemned the attempted jungle justice, warning that taking the law into one’s hands could lead to the death of an innocent person.

Sanusi said jungle justice was itself a criminal act that could amount to murder under the law.

He urged residents to report suspected criminals to the police rather than resorting to violence.

The Commissioner also advised parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the safety of their children and wards.

Mob Nearly Lynches Man Over Alleged Attempt To Abduct Girl In Abuja