The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a United States-based medical doctor from an angry mob after he was falsely accused of kidnapping in Ibadan, the state capital.
The police said the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the 2nd Powerline area in Ologuneru along the Eleyele-Ido Road.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command disclosed that officers swiftly responded to a distress call indicating that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched by residents.
According to the statement, a combined team of patrol and detective officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Eleyele Police Station arrived at the scene and rescued the victim from the enraged crowd.
However, before the intervention of the police, the mob had already set the victim’s Lexus RX 330 Sports Utility Vehicle ablaze.
The police identified the victim simply as Dr. Afolabi, a medical practitioner based in the United States.
Two young girls, Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12, who were found inside the vehicle, were also taken into protective custody alongside the doctor for investigation.
The command said preliminary findings revealed that the doctor was not involved in any kidnapping, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
Investigators reportedly discovered that the girls had been legally handed over to the doctor by a woman identified as Mrs. Idowu Abimbola, 56, from the Eleyele area of Ibadan, for onward delivery to the doctor’s mother to assist with domestic chores.
The statement added that Mrs. Abimbola later visited the police station and confirmed the arrangement, while the girls also corroborated her account during questioning.
The police explained that the misunderstanding began when the doctor attempted to pass through the Polytechnic gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine checks.
Suspicion was reportedly triggered after the girls were seen in a half-dressed condition inside the vehicle when the doctor lowered the window glass.
According to the police, the situation escalated after the doctor allegedly failed to give convincing answers to questions from bystanders and eventually turned away from the checkpoint.
The command added that the inability of the girls to communicate effectively in either Yoruba or English further fuelled suspicion among residents, resulting in a mob chase.
Some youths reportedly intercepted the doctor, ignored his explanations and assaulted him severely before police operatives arrived at the scene.
“The victim sustained serious bodily injuries and was immediately taken to the Police Medical Services for treatment,” the statement noted.
The police added that statements had been obtained from witnesses, including an okada rider allegedly hit during the confusion, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the mob attack and destruction of property.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the incident and warned residents against jungle justice and the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic and tension.
He also directed a thorough investigation into the matter and ordered the arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the attack.