Police confirm one fatality, eyewitnesses claim six

A clash between a vigilante group and suspected kidnappers has reportedly left six people dead, including the father of an alleged kidnapper, in Share, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Share cattle market, sparking pandemonium. Confirming the incident yesterday, a village source said the vigilantes deployed to the market had arrested a suspected kidnapper, tied him up, and were preparing to take him to the police station.

The source added that news of the arrest reached the suspect’s father, who allegedly mobilised others to the market to free his son. Upon arriving at the market, the elderly man reportedly attacked a vigilante, who responded swiftly and forcefully. The altercation led to the father’s death.

The situation quickly degenerated into chaos, with individuals engaging in a free-for-all fight and sporadic gunfire, resulting in at least five more casualties.

During the commotion, the vigilante who was first attacked sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with newsmen but disputed the reported casualty figure.

Ojo clarified that only one elderly man died while attempting to rescue his son from kidnappers. He explained: “A young man was kidnapped and his father tried to rescue him but was shot by the vigilante. The chaos that followed allowed the kidnappers to escape.”