The young lady killed on Sunday morning by a mob in Bauchi that suspected her of being a suicide bomber may have been mentally ill, security sources have told THISDAY.

The lady, whose name was given as Miss Dorcas Haruna Mwari, was clubbed and burnt to death by a mob after she rebuffed several attempts by security men in a local market to search her bag.

Shortly after her remains were set ablaze, it was reportedly discovered that the offending bag contained empty bottles.
A top security source told THISDAY that Miss Mwari's death might have sparked ethnic and religious tensions in Bauchi, as she was reportedly a Fayawa Christian from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area in the state.

A Bauchi State Government source told THISDAY that the state government had sent emissaries to placate the family of the deceased.
He added that the government was working out a compensation for the family but failed to disclose the nature of compensation.
The Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed told THISDAY on the phone that the Mwaris confirmed to the police that the late Dorcas had mental illness.

“Yes, we took their statement. They (the family) noted that their daughter had that challenge,” said Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP.)

The police officer said even though the late Dorcas was “a victim of an angry crowd or mob, we are making some headway in unraveling the persons responsible for initiating the mob action”.

The police spokesman, however, would not comment on whether or not the body has been released to the family for burial.
He said the Bauchi State Police Command was treating the matter as murder and would not allow any ethnic or religious consideration taint their investigations.

Source: THISDAY