Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a medical doctor, Dr. Afolabi, from an angry mob that accused him of kidnapping two young girls and set his Lexus RX 330 SUV ablaze in the Ologuneru area of Ibadan. The incident occurred on Monday, May 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. around the 2nd Powerline Area, Ologuneru, along the Eleyele–Ido Road. A combined team of patrol and detective officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Eleyele Police Station responded to a distress call from concerned citizens who reported that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched and set on fire.
Upon arrival, officers rescued the suspect from the enraged crowd. However, the mob had already set his SUV ablaze. Two young girls, identified as Deborah, aged 15, and Rebecca, aged 12, found inside the vehicle, were taken into protective custody alongside the suspect for proper investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, Dr. Afolabi, is a medical doctor practicing in the United States and was not a kidnapper as falsely alleged in several misleading social media reports.
Further findings established that the two girls were legally taken from a 56‑year‑old woman, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola, of Eleyele Area, Ibadan, with the intention of delivering them to the victim’s mother to assist with household chores. Mrs. Abimbola was invited to the police station, where she confirmed the arrangement. The two girls also corroborated the account and related freely with the woman, dispelling any suspicion of abduction.
Investigation revealed that the misunderstanding began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to gain access through the Polytechnic gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine vehicle inspection. When he lowered the vehicle’s window, the two girls were allegedly seen half‑naked, which immediately aroused suspicion among bystanders and security personnel. The doctor’s inability to provide satisfactory answers, his decision to turn away from the checkpoint, and the inability of the girls to speak the local language or express themselves clearly in English further fueled the false alarm. This led to a mob chase, and irate youths intercepted the victim, ignored his explanations, inflicted severe bodily injuries, and set his vehicle on fire.
The victim was rushed to the Police Medical Services for urgent medical attention and is responding to treatment. Statements have been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider allegedly hit during the confusion. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, strongly condemned the act of jungle justice and the deliberate spread of false and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension. He warned that resorting to self‑help, mob violence, and circulating misleading narratives on social media remain serious threats to public peace, law and order, and could reverse progress made in sustaining security and public confidence.
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