The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a United States-based medical doctor from a mob attack after a false kidnapping alarm led to violence in Ibadan, the state capital.
The Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday at about 2:30 p.m. at the 2nd Powerline area of Ologuneru, along the Eleyele–Ido Road.
Police said operatives received a distress call that an alleged kidnapper was about to be lynched and set ablaze by an angry crowd. Officers from the Eleyele Division, led by the Divisional Crime Officer, quickly mobilised to the scene and rescued the suspect from the mob.
However, the doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had already been set on fire before police arrived. Two girls, identified as Deborah (15) and Rebecca (12), who were found in the vehicle, were also taken into protective custody alongside the doctor for investigation.
Preliminary findings showed that the victim, Dr. Afolabi, is a US-based medical practitioner who was wrongly accused of kidnapping. Investigations also revealed that the two girls were not abducted but were legally entrusted to him by one Mrs. Idowu Abimbola of Eleyele, Ibadan, to be delivered to his mother for domestic assistance.
The police added that Mrs. Abimbola confirmed the arrangement during questioning, while the girls also corroborated the account.
According to the police spokesperson, the misunderstanding began when the doctor attempted to pass through a checkpoint at the Polytechnic gate, where security personnel requested a routine search. Suspicion was reportedly raised after the vehicle was searched and the girls were seen inside, while the doctor’s explanations were not immediately accepted by onlookers.
The situation escalated after the doctor reportedly failed to provide convincing answers and attempted to leave the scene, leading to a mob chase. He was eventually intercepted and attacked, while his vehicle was set ablaze.
He sustained injuries in the attack and is currently receiving treatment at Police Medical Services.
The police confirmed that eyewitness statements, including that of an okada rider allegedly affected during the chaos, have been collected. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the mob action and destruction of property.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the incident, describing mob justice and the spread of unverified information as dangerous to public peace.
He warned residents against taking the law into their hands and urged reliance on proper security channels when suspicious situations arise.
The police also confirmed that a full investigation has been launched, with those responsible for the attack to be prosecuted.
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