The police in Lagos have rescued a man found with the corpse of his five-year-old dead son from a mob.

The incident occurred at Terminal 1, Oshodi Bus Stop, Lagos, as the man was on his way to bury his dead son.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident on his verified Twitter page on Wednesday.

Mr Hundeyin said the incident happened on Sunday at about 10:20 p.m. at the Oshodi bus stop.

He said the Makinde police division got information that some suspects were seen with a dead child, and a mob wanted to lynch him.

The police spokesperson said following the information, the police team immediately moved to the scene, and the suspects were rescued.

“Upon interrogation, one of the suspects, the father of the dead child, disclosed that the child suddenly fell ill at midnight and died at about 5:00 a.m. on Sunday before he could be taken to the hospital,” explained Mr Hundeyin. “Following the sudden death, family members advised that the corpse should be brought home to their village in Ebonyi for burial.”

The police officer added, “He disclosed further that he and three other relatives came to the terminal, bought tickets in preparation for the journey when suspecting passer-by accused them of carrying a dead child.”

Mr Hundeyin said the police contacted the bereaved mother of the child for further proof and she confirmed and corroborated her husband’s claims.

He said the case was incidental, while the corpse was deposited at the Yaba Mainland Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

The police spokesman added that the suspects were in safe and protective custody.

(NAN)