The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a United States-based medical doctor, identified as Dr Afolabi, from an angry mob following a false kidnapping alarm in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident, which occurred on Monday around 2:30 p.m. at the 2nd Powerline area of Ologuneru along the Eleyele–Ido Road, was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade.
According to the police spokesperson, officers swung into action after receiving a distress call that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched and burnt alive by a mob.
Ayanlade explained that a combined team of patrol and detective officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Eleyele Police Station immediately moved to the scene and successfully rescued the victim from the enraged crowd.
He, however, disclosed that before the arrival of the police, the mob had already set ablaze the victim’s Lexus RX 330 SUV. Two girls, Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12, who were inside the vehicle at the time, were also taken into protective custody alongside the doctor for investigation.
The police said preliminary findings revealed that Dr Afolabi is a medical doctor based in the United States and not a kidnapper as widely alleged in viral social media reports.
Further investigation, according to the command, showed that the two girls had been legally handed over by one Mrs Idowu Abimbola, 56, of the Eleyele area of Ibadan, with the intention of taking them to the doctor’s mother to assist with household chores.
“In the course of the investigation, Mrs Idowu Abimbola was invited to the station, where she confirmed the arrangement. The two girls also corroborated the account and related freely with the said woman, thereby dispelling the suspicion of abduction,” the statement noted.
The police explained that the misunderstanding started when Dr Afolabi attempted to pass through the Polytechnic gate and was stopped by a security guard for a routine vehicle check.
Ayanlade stated that suspicion was triggered after the doctor lowered the vehicle’s window and the two girls were allegedly seen half-naked by bystanders and security personnel.
The situation reportedly worsened because the victim could not provide convincing answers to questions raised at the checkpoint and later attempted to turn away from the scene, further heightening suspicion.
According to the police, the inability of the girls to communicate effectively in either English or the local language also fuelled the false kidnapping alarm.
The development eventually led to a mob chase and the interception of the doctor by irate youths, who allegedly ignored his explanations and severely assaulted him before the timely intervention of the police.
“The victim was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Services for urgent medical attention and is currently responding to treatment,” the statement added.
The command also disclosed that statements had been taken from eyewitnesses, including an okada rider reportedly hit during the confusion, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the mob attack and destruction of property.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the mob action as well as the spread of false information capable of creating tension and undermining security in the state.
The police commissioner warned residents against jungle justice, self-help and the circulation of unverified information on social media, stressing that such actions pose a threat to public peace and order.
He further directed a full-scale investigation into the incident and ordered the arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the attack in accordance with the law.
