An angry mob in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State has lynched a suspected ritualist to death.

The suspect, known as Sani, was allegedly caught with two stolen babies on Friday.

According to Abdullahi Yahaya, a resident of the town, the suspect was apprehended around 1 p.m. and was immediately burned to death.

The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect was burned beyond recognition by the time the police team arrived at the scene.

Abiodun explained that the suspect was accused of stealing babies from the burial ground area of Lapai.

“Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Lapai mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene. However, before the police arrived, an enraged mob armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons had beaten the suspect to a coma and set him ablaze,” Abiodun said.

“Efforts were made to extinguish the fire and rescue him, but unfortunately, he was burnt beyond recognition. The body was later evacuated to the General Hospital Lapai,” he added.