There was pandemonium in Maraban Jos in Kaduna State after mob set ablaze a woman identified as Malama Ummulkhairi over allegations of child theft that have not been substantiated.

The incident has triggered outrage across the state and renewed concerns about the growing menace of jungle justice, lawlessness and the dangerous spread of mob violence fueled by rumours and misinformation.

The deceased, an Islamic teacher and mother of more than five children was said to have  travelled from the New Maraban Jos area to attend an Islamic lecture reportedly organised at a local school in the old Maraban Jos axis.

She allegedly lost her way after being separated from some of her companions and sought directions from children in the neighbourhood.

Shortly afterwards, some residents reportedly accused her of attempting to steal children, an allegation that witnesses and relatives insist was entirely baseless.

As tension escalated, a crowd gathered and the woman was reportedly taken to a nearby police station for her protection and investigation.

A statement on Sunday by the Kaduna State Police Command confirmed that a large mob later stormed the police station, overwhelmed officers on duty and forcibly removed the woman from protective custody.

The police said that the mob subsequently killed her and set her body ablaze in what observers have described as one of the most barbaric acts of jungle justice witnessed in recent times.

The Osun State chapter of the Action Peoples Party (APP) has called on security agencies in the state to ensure full compliance with a recent Federal High Court judgment concerning the local government crisis.

The party, in a statement by its chairman, Odesola Titus, on Sunday, also insisted that the ruling affirmed the authority of the legally elected council officials.

Odesola said the court, sitting in Osogbo, had declared the continued occupation of council offices by the APC chairmen and councillors unconstitutional.

The party, however, noted that the judgment did not invalidate the local government election conducted on February 22, 2025.

“We serve this notice to all security agencies operating within Osun State concerning the recent judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Osogbo. The court has unequivocally declared the continuance of the Yes or No (APC) chairmen and councillors as unconstitutional,” he said.

The party stressed that the judgment underscored the need to recognise and protect the authority of the legally elected chairmen and councillors and warned against any form of illegal interference with their mandates.

“In light of this ruling, we urge all relevant security agencies to take immediate action to ensure compliance with this judgment. It is crucial to safeguard peace, law and order within our communities and to protect the mandate of those who have been duly elected by the citizens of Osun State,” he said.

The APP also called on security agencies to remain committed to preserving democratic values and maintaining stability across the state’s local government areas in line with the court’s pronouncement.

The party expressed appreciation for the cooperation of security agencies and their commitment to upholding the rule of law, adding that it expected the democratic process in Osun State to be respected and maintained.

The appeal is coming after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, vowed that the local government council officials elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on February 22, 2025, will resume office on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The state government had conducted council polls on February 22, 2025, across the state, which were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had also, on February 23, 2025, sworn in the elected officials and urged them not to resume at the council secretariats in order to avoid violence.

However, the elected officials under the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose tenure expired on October 22, 2025, had approached the Federal High Court, Osogbo, seeking tenure elongation.

The court, in a judgment delivered on Monday, June 15, 2026, dismissed the application seeking tenure elongation for the chairmen and ruled that they lacked the legal standing to institute the suit.