The family of Malama Ummulkhair, an Islamiyya school teacher who was lynched and burnt by a mob in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has continued to recount the events surrounding her death.
According to Daily Trust, Ummulkhair, a mother of four, was accused by some residents of attempting to steal children while she was on her way to attend an Islamic lecture on Sunday afternoon.
The allegation reportedly spread rapidly, attracting a crowd that attacked her before security operatives intervened and took her to a nearby police station for protection.
The situation later escalated when a large number of youths and residents allegedly stormed the station, demanding that she be handed over to them. Despite efforts by security personnel to control the crowd, the mob reportedly overpowered the officers and set her ablaze.
The victim’s sister-in-law, Zainab Aliyu, who said she was with Ummulkhair at the police station, alleged that while tension was building outside, the Divisional Police Officer brought the victim out of the station despite her warning against doing so.
She recalled that during the incident, protesters were throwing stones at the police while officers responded by firing tear gas. She added that the DPO later entered the station amid the unrest.
She said, “The DPO came in and asked where the suspect was. I pointed at her. He held her hand and started leading her away.
“When we got near the gate, I warned the DPO that the crowd would kill her if he took her outside.
“Another officer pushed me aside. As soon as they went outside, I followed them to the roadside and tried to pull her away because people had started beating her.
“Then a police officer dragged me back into the station and told me to leave because the crowd might kill me too.”
